Which Spanish cathedral complex contains both an Old Cathedral and a New Cathedral?

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Salamanca Cathedral is the Spanish cathedral complex that contains both an Old Cathedral and a New Cathedral.

The Old Cathedral was built mainly during the 12th and 13th centuries in the Romanesque and Gothic traditions. Its famous domed tower, known as the Torre del Gallo, is an important feature of the earlier building.

The New Cathedral was begun in 1513 and was largely completed in the 16th century, although later work continued. Rather than demolishing the older church, builders constructed the new cathedral alongside it and opened a connection between the two buildings.

This arrangement explains why Salamanca is often described as having two cathedrals in one complex. The New Cathedral also includes later decorative additions, including the much-discussed modern carvings added during restoration, which visitors sometimes incorrectly assume are medieval.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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