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Built in ashlaring, the church is structured as a pilgrimage
church, with a cross-shaped ground plan. It includes three
naves, chapels among the butresses, double transept, octaedral
chancel with five piers and ambulatory with chapels.
The apse contains a Romanesque circular chapel, one of the
few original features that remain from the former temple.
It also has a low choir, a sacristy from 1602 and cloisters
from the 14C. The main portal opens to the south and has
three parts.
The saint´s tomb is located
int the south transept, close to the epistle and opposite
a cage (containing a live cock and hen, in memory of the
miracle). Below the sepulchre is a crypt with reliefs of
San Juan Evangelista and a collection of works of art from
the 13-15 C. The Cathedral also has a tower 70 m high that
stands separate from the main building.
In its interior is a retable of great
interest, 9m wide and 13 m long, one of the Spanish major
sculptures. This magnificent retable was removed from its
original location, after the restoration of the 90´s.
It was placed in the north transept, so that the Romanesque
elements at the High Altar could be admired. The restoration
of the retable made possible the discovery of the excellent
reliefs and capitals from the 12 C that were hidden behind
it for more than 4 centuries. Among them is a relief of
David represented as a singing king.
The restoration also brought to light the decoration on
the pilasters at the High Altar, where foliation motifs
and historiated representations of the gospels can be noted.
In one of these we can see a "Jese´s Tree"
with the figure of the Virgin Mary, Crismon and a trinity.
These symbols combine with the capitals of the Prudent Virgins
(with lit oil lamps upside up) and the Silly Virgins (with
unlit lamps upside down), and the 24 Old Men of the Apocalyse.
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