The 'New Cathedral' was built between 1761 and 1781, to serve the new town which had been relocated from the hill around the old cathedral, when the 18th century ramparts were erected. After the wonderfully light gothic of the old cathedral, the new cathedral is a bit oppressive: built in a severe 'French Classical' style, its exterior is plain and forbidding and, although the interior has a certain elegance, it is rather gloomy, due to having few windows all betraying its origins in a time of war. The few windows that exist are high up in the clerestory, and are filled with vivid stained glass, though this only serves to add to the gloom. The interior is conventional in plan, with five bays to the nave, wide aisles and side chapels. The arches of the bays are supported on tall square piers, decorated on each side by corinthian pilasters. The ceiling of the chancel is covered in rather overblown 18th century biblical scenes by José Serrasanta, and the cathedral furnishings are mostly in the heavy baroque style of the Counter-reformation, although some of the alter-pieces are impressive if you like this kind of thing. At certain times of the year, however, the roofs (and especially the towers) are the favoured nesting sites for families of cranes, providing a lighter side to the building. read more

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