Catedral Santa Maria de la Huerta Tarazona

About

The Cathedral of Santa María de la Huerta in Tarazona is a living testament to the layered evolution of Spanish ecclesiastical architecture. Built on a site that once housed a Roman necropolis, it began as a 12th‑century Romanesque foundation and expanded into a soaring Gothic masterpiece. The façade showcases a world‑unique Mudéjar bell tower and a cimborrio (tower) crowned with a carved wooden roof, while the interior is a harmonious blend of 13th‑ to 17th‑century styles, highlighted by an intricately painted retablo and a choir composed of richly carved stalls. In 2011, the cathedral reopened following nearly thirty years of meticulous restoration. Since the early 2000s, the Fundación Tarazona Monumental has carried out systematic studies of every intervention, producing the Plan Director that guided the recent conservation works. The restoration unveiled hidden frescoes from the 1540s that populate a space now known as the Spanish Renaissance “Capilla Sixtina,” and it revealed numerous Mudéjar sculptural details spread throughout the cloister and the interior vaults. Today the cathedral hosts a permanent exhibition, the "Plan Director – Restoration," which illustrates the building’s archaeological, artistic and architectural significance. The exhibition is divided into seven thematic panels, each accompanied by relevant archaeological and architectural artefacts. The atrium and the halls of the cloister are also open to the public, and a new museum wing showcases the rich documentary heritage preserved in the cathedral’s library. Visitors can explore the cathedral on a guided tour or explore on their own, enjoying panoramic views from the reredos and the stunning painted ceilings. Besides its artistic and historical value, the cathedral has earned international recognition: it was awarded the EU Nostra Heritage Prize in 2015 for its outstanding conservation work. The award, displayed on a plaque at the façade, underscores Tarazona’s growing importance as a cultural and tourist destination in the region of Aragon.