Among the most significant landmarks in Málaga is the local Cathedral of the Incarnation, officially known as the Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación. Construction of the cathedral began in 1528 in the Renaissance style, but as it took more than 200 years to complete, its final stages in 1782 were carried out in the richly ornamented Baroque style, which is particularly evident on the exterior façades. In contrast, the cathedral’s interior is purely Renaissance in style.

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The cathedral was originally intended to have two towers, but only one was completed, rising to a height of 84 metres. This is why Málaga Cathedral is often nicknamed the ‘one-armed lady’.

The richly decorated interior

Although visitors are immediately struck by the extraordinary and, in its own way, unconventional façade, you should certainly not miss a visit to the cathedral’s interior. You will be enchanted by the rich Renaissance décor, highlighted by the carved wooden choir with a total of 42 sculptures.

One of the cathedral’s main attractions is the famous painting *The Beheading of Saint Paul* by the painter Enrique Simonet. In the cathedral’s side aisles, you can admire several smaller chapels in various styles, ranging from Gothic to Classicism.

Another rare treasure is the pair of 18th-century organs, which are still in use today and contain more than 4,000 pipes.

A visit to the cathedral roof

A visit to the cathedral’s beautifully decorated roof offers an unusual experience, providing a breathtaking view of the city and the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro fortresses. You’ll see the cathedral and Málaga from a completely different perspective.

Access to the roof is via a narrow, winding staircase with 200 steps and is always organised in groups. However, there are plenty of guides available and queues are usually no longer than half an hour.

Admission and opening hours

The cathedral is open to the public from Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 18.00, and on Sundays from 14.00 onwards.

Admissionprices vary for different age groups:

• Cathedral only or roof tour only – 10 eur adults; 5,50 eur over-65s; 4 eur students with an ISIC card
• Cathedral + roof – 15 eur adults; 9 eur seniors aged 65 and over; 7 eur students with an ISIC card

Official cathedral website:malagacatedral.com

How to get there

The cathedral is situated in the historic centre of Málaga and is within a 15-minute walk of most tourist attractions.

The nearest bus stop is called Paseo del Parque (Plaza Marina) and is about 150 metres from the entrance. Bus routes A, 1, 3, 4, 11, 19, 25, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 stop here.

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