Malaga Cathedral, also known as the Basílica de la Encarnación, is the Renaissance jewel in Malaga’s crown and one of the most important examples of its genre in Spain. Construction of the basilica began in 1528 but was not completed until 1782. The cathedral was consecrated on 3 August 1588.
Situated on Calle Molina Lario, the cathedral also has a museum inside, home to an extensive collection of Renaissance artefacts. Like the cathedral itself, the museum is open to the public from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm and on Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm.
Malaga Cathedral is a perfect combination of different architectural styles. The main body of the church is Renaissance, the altarpiece is Gothic and there are Baroque features on the façade and roof.
The northern tower of the basilica is 84 metres high, making it the second tallest cathedral in Andalusia after La Giralda in Seville. The southern tower remains unfinished, which has earned the cathedral the nickname among locals as ‘la manquita’ (the one-armed lady).
Behind the cathedral lies Plaza Obispo, a charming little square dominated by a lovely fountain. It is lined by three buildings painted yellow, maroon and cream. When the sun shines onto their façades, the quality of the light becomes very special and clear. There are also several outdoor cafés where you can take a break and contemplate the cathedral’s beautiful exterior.
If you wish, you can park your vehicle at our Saba car park in Malaga, which is situated at the train station and is open 24 hours a day.
