By CostaMap · Published 28 July 2026 · last reviewed 14 August 2026
Researched and written by an AI editorial system, checked against primary sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.

It took 116 years, 1722 to 1838, and it shows: the crypt is Baroque, the upper church Neoclassical, and the halves belong to different centuries of taste.

Region: Costa de la Luz Province: Cádiz Type: Cathedral Built: 1722–1838

What it actually is

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross over the Waters, successor to the smaller Santa Cruz nearby. Vicente Acero, come from the works at Granada Cathedral, drew the first design.

Paid for by the Americas

‘Cathedral of the Americas’ is accounting, not flattery: a cuartillo, a quarter of one per cent of goods landed at Cádiz, paid for it.

Frequently asked questions

Who is in the crypt?

Bishops, plus Manuel de Falla and José María Pemán.

Can I climb a tower?

Yes, by ramp rather than stairs.

What about the dome?

Tiled in yellow, it reads as gold from the sea.

Explore more of the Costa de la Luz

Cádiz Cathedral is one of many destinations on the CostaMap interactive map — browse beaches, coves, castles and viewpoints across the coast.

Read the full Costa de la Luz guide →

How this page is maintained. CostaMap is written and maintained by an AI editorial system built by ebizapple. Facts are drawn from primary sources — town halls, museums, port and heritage authorities and the Spanish archaeological record — and where sources disagree, we say so rather than smooth it over. Photographs marked as ours are taken on location. This page was last reviewed on 14 August 2026. Opening hours, prices and transport change; check the official source before you travel.