What to see in Astorga
When you pass through Astorga in the French Way it is essential to visit two of the most important monuments. One specifically will make your way an unforgettable one.
The Cathedral of Astorga
The Cathedral of Astorga, also known as Santa Maria Cathedral for its original dedication to Virgin Mary, started in 1471 in the same walled enclave of the XI and XII centuries. The building works lasted until the XVII century in a neoclassic style, exterior baroque in towers and façade, and a touch of renaissance portico.
The façade, of baroque style, is organized in a way of retable petro exuberantly decorated with five scenes of Christ's life and one “rose” with plant motifs in which you can find the coat of arms of the monarchy. It is located between two towers that emphasizes the astorgian “s.e.o.”, joined to the rest of the temple in such a way that the interiors of the s.e.o. two open chapels are formed in the lateral chapel. The old tower of the cathedral is from 1678, but was affected by the Lisbon Earthquake of 1775 and was not entirely rebuilt until 1965. The new tower is pink colored, and was finished in 1708, starting the works in 1698.
The Episcopal Palace of Astorga or Gaudi Palace
Astorga has the privilege of having one of the most important modern artists of Spain's creation, as well as one of the most famous in the world: Antonio Gaudi. Having been destroyed in a fire in 1886, The Bishop of Astorga commended to Gaudi the construction of a new Episcopal Palace. The works started in 1887 and were finished in 1893.
Built in gray granite from the Leonese region of El Bierzo, the building has a façade that presents four cylindrical towers, and is surrounded by a moat. The portico has three horned arches, made of ashlars separated by inclined buttress; Gaudi had intended to crown the façade with a five meter tall angel that in the end was not constructed. The front part presents an apse in the chapel, surrounded by three smaller apses. The lower floor has a great vestibule, in which a noble stairway begins, acquiring a great height which allows the opening of great windows, of triangular forms, that provide great luminosity; this scheme reminds us to the one used in Güell Park. The structure of the building is supported on pillars with capitals decorated in vaults on lancet arches of crystal ceramic. It is ended with Mudejar style battlements.
In 1893, after the death of Bishop Grau, Gaudi resigned due to disagreements with the Catholic Council, being the works on halt for several years. Finally, it was finished between 1907 and 1915 by the architect Garcia Guereta.