Cathedral of San Salvador, Oviedo

The Cathedral of San Salvador, known locally as Catedral de San Salvador de Oviedo, stands as a majestic testament to the rich historical and architectural heritage of Oviedo, Spain. This Gothic masterpiece, often referred to as Sancta Ovetensis, is renowned not only for its stunning architecture but also for the vast collection of relics it houses.

The Historical Tapestry of the Cathedral of San Salvador

The origins of the Cathedral of San Salvador date back to the late 13th century, with construction commencing on the chapter house and cloister. This monumental endeavor spanned over three centuries, culminating in the completion of the tower in the mid-16th century. The cathedral's location is historically significant, as it was built on the site of a pre-Romanesque complex from the 9th century. This blend of timelines is evident in the cathedral's architecture, which features pre-Romanesque (Holy Chamber), Romanesque (vaults and apostles of the Holy Chamber), Renaissance (tower finish), and Baroque (ambulatory, Chapel of the King Cast, and other side chapels) styles.

The Holy Chamber, dating back to the 9th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and houses some of the cathedral's most treasured artifacts: the Victory Cross and the Angels' Cross, symbols of Asturias and the city of Oviedo respectively, the Agate Box, and the Holy Ark containing numerous relics, including the Holy Shroud.

The Basilica of Fruela I

King Fruela I of Asturias ordered the construction of a basilica dedicated to San Salvador on the grounds where the current cathedral stands. Although the exact date of the basilica's construction is unknown, its foundation is confirmed by inscriptions in the Liber Testamentorum Ecclesiae Ovetensis, collected by Bishop Pelayo. The original basilica was destroyed in a Muslim raid in 794, and no information regarding its structure survives.

The Complex of Alfonso II the Chaste

When King Alfonso II the Chaste moved the capital of the Kingdom of Asturias to Oviedo, he initiated the construction of a new cathedral complex on the same grounds, incorporating parts of the old San Salvador church. This complex included a new cathedral (San Salvador), the church of Santa Maria, the church of San Tirso, and the Holy Chamber, along with several palatine residences. The Silense Chronicle documents the construction of this ecclesiastical complex over thirty years, confirming a long-term ambitious project.

The Ecclesiastical Ensemble

The ensemble of churches included the monasteries of San Vicente, San Juan Bautista, and San Pelayo, with the basilicas of San Salvador and the churches of Santa Maria and San Tirso at its core. San Salvador was likely the primary church, possibly the king's own church, while Santa Maria served as a funerary liturgy site for Alfonso II and subsequent Asturian kings. The Benedictine monasteries participated in the funerary rites at Santa Maria until the 16th century, when the complex began to disintegrate following the reconstruction of San Vicente and the relocation of its church.

Residences and Episcopal Palace

South of San Salvador were a series of constructions, remnants of which can still be seen today beneath the current episcopal palace. Excavations between 1942 and 1950 revealed these findings, initially believed to be the royal palace of Alfonso II the Chaste. However, modern historians suggest these remains belonged to the clergy who managed San Salvador before it became a cathedral, eventually transforming into the bishop's palace and other episcopal dependencies.

The Holy Chamber

The Holy Chamber, now part of the Gothic structure of the Cathedral of Oviedo, was originally a palatine chapel with a martyrial function. Built during Alfonso II the Chaste's reign in the early 9th century, it consists of two main parts: the lower crypt of Santa Leocadia, housing the relics of Saint Leocadia and Saint Eulogius, and the upper floor, later known as the Chapel of San Miguel, which became a reliquary in the 11th century. The cathedral treasury includes the Cross of the Angels, the Cross of Victory, the Agate Box, and the Holy Ark, containing Christian relics, including the Holy Shroud.

Romanesque Reforms

In the late 11th century, the Old Tower was repurposed as a bell tower with Romanesque additions. The most significant Romanesque reform occurred in the Holy Chamber in the late 12th century, replacing the wooden roof with a barrel vault supported by columns featuring sculpted apostles, a masterpiece of Spanish Romanesque art.

The Gothic Cathedral

The influence of Gothic architecture reached Asturias in the late 13th century, leading to the Gothic renovation of the cathedral complex. The chapter house and cloister were the first to undergo Gothic transformation, followed by the main cathedral structure in the following century.

The Cathedral of San Salvador is not just a place of worship; it is a historical and architectural marvel that tells the story of Oviedo's rich past. Its walls and relics echo the tales of kings, saints, and centuries of devotion, making it an essential destination for any visitor to this beautiful city.