Co-cathedral of Santa María

The Co-cathedral of Santa María anchors the Plaza de Santa María, the main square of the Ciudad Monumental. Construction began in the 13th century and continued through the 16th, which gives the interior a pleasing layering of styles: the heavy Romanesque columns carry Gothic vaulting, while the retablo and choir screen are confident Renaissance work. The tower offers the best elevated view of the old town, though the climb is steep.

Several important medieval tombs are inside, including those of notable Extremaduran families. The cathedral museum holds religious art and vestments. Entry is cheap; the tower climb is worth the additional fee.

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A story
The co-cathedral shares diocesan responsibility with the Cathedral of Coria — an ecclesiastical arrangement born of historical politics rather than geography. The building was raised over several centuries, which is why the nave is Romanesque-Gothic while the choir stalls are Renaissance. Buried inside is Hernando de Ovando, one of the conquistador families whose wealth built much of Cáceres' old town. The irony that this wealth came from the looting of the Americas is written into the city's stones.

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