| Calahorra Cathedral | |
| Fullname: | Cathedral of Saint Mary |
| Other Name: | Spanish; Castilian: Catedral de Santa Maria |
| Coordinates: | 42.2989°N -1.9575°W |
| Location: | Calahorra |
| Country: | Spain |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Address: | 69, Calle de la Mediavilla |
| Status: | Cathedral |
| Dedication: | Mary, mother of Jesus |
| Style: | Gothic, Baroque |
| Groundbreaking: | 1484 |
| Bells Hung: | --> |
| Metropolis: | Pamplona and Tudela |
| Diocese: | Calahorra and La Calzada-Logroño |
| Bishop: | Santos Montoya Torres |
The Cathedral of Saint Mary (Spanish: Catedral de Santa María) is a cathedral located in Calahorra (in La Rioja, Spain). It is one of the cathedrals belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calahorra y La Calzada-Logroño.
The building was given a heritage listing in 1931, and is currently protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural.[1]
According to the Roman Christian poet Prudentius, San Emeterio and San Celedonio, two Roman brothers and legionaries who converted to Christianity, were beheaded in Calahorra around the year 300.[2] Local legend states that the cathedral was built on the spot where the two were killed.[3] They are now venerated as patron saints of the city and their relics are still kept inside the cathedral.
The site of the martyrdom become a place of pilgrimage in the 4th century, which led to the construction of a Visigoth baptistery, later destroyed during the Arab conquest.[4] Following the city's return to Christian rule during Reconquista, the episcopal see was restored in 1045.[5]
Construction of the current building began in 1484[6] in the Gothic style, but gained several other influences over the next centuries, the facade and interior decorations being examples of Baroque.[7] The main work on the cathedral was done by the 18th Century, with the last element added being the retable of the main altar, in 1904,[8] after the original one was destroyed during a fire in 1900.[9]