Cathedral of Tarragona

The Cathedral of Tarragona was built at the highest point in the city over the old Roman religious and administrative buildings were once located. The first Christian church was built on the location by the 3rd century from reused and "recycled" stones in the city.  It was first designed as a Romanesque cathedral in 1171 AD but a Gothic facade and interiors were added in 1282 AD.  The cathedral was never finished after the black plague came through the city in 1348 AD.

The mixture of the styles is clear inside of the have as golden high alter was added in 1434 AD.  The domes are Romanesque and the high alter is Gothic.

Another style is present in the Chapel of Saint Thecla, the patron saint of Tarragona.  The baroque style chapel was completed in 1775.

The organ is locates in the center of the have and is enormous! I was fortunate to hear it being played while I visited. I recorded a minute or so and will post it when I return.  The organ was installed in the 16th century and is 20 meters high, carved of oak, cypress, elm, and poplar.

I realized when I returned to the ship that I did not take a photo of the cathedral with my tablet, just my camera! I do not want you to have to wait, so I snapped a shot of the cover of the book I bought to bring back.  It shows the Gothic facade, but you only get a hint at the Romanesque exterior on the sides.