El Salvador Cathedral

The Gothic church of Orihuela

Orihuela has had a cathedral since 1564, when the city was granted its bishopric.

El Salvador Cathedral is Orihuela’s most important parish church. It was built on the site of the Aljama Mosque in the first third of the 14th century. It is in Gothic style and was made a cathedral in 1564 when the city was granted its bishopric. It has a Latin cross floor plan and three access doors: Las Cadenas and Loreto, which are Gothic, and La Anunciación, in Renaissance style. The Museum of Religious Art is also in the cathedral. It is home to major works, including “The Temptation of Saint Thomas” by Velázquez.