Ambulatory introduced in XVIIth century.

* * *

Chief attractions: Retablo, reliefs of trasaltar.

OVIEDO

See dedicated to the Mother and Child.

Bishopric erected, 812; first bishop, Adulfo.

* * *

Until XIIth century cathedral was a basilica; destroyed.

Romanesque edifice erected in XIIth century; destroyed 1380.

Present edifice begun 1380; completed 1550.

XVth century ogival (French?).

Decoration of the interior terminated XVIIth century.

Tower and spire, XVIth century.

Camara Santa dates from XIIth century; a remnant of the early Romanesque
edifice.

* * *

Total length, 218 feet; width, 72 feet.

Height of nave, 65 feet; of aisles, 33 feet.

Height of tower, 267 feet.

* * *

Chief attractions: Fleche, decoration of the interior, rosaces in apse,
Gothic retablo, cloister, Camara Santa.

PALENCIA

See dedicated to Mother and Child and San Antolin, martyr.

Date of erection unknown; IId or IIId century.

One of the earliest bishops, San Toribio.

During the Arab invasion city and see completely destroyed.

First bishop after Reconquest, Bernardo, in 1035.

* * *

XVth century florid Gothic building.

Erection begun in 1321.

Eastern end finished prior to 1400.

Century later western end begun on larger scale.

Temple completed in 1550.

* * *

Total length, 405 feet.

Width (at transept), 160 feet.

Height (of nave), 95 feet.

* * *

Chief attractions: The ensemble (interior and exterior), Bishop's Door,
choir-stalls, trascoro.

PLASENCIA

Dedicated to the Holy Virgin.

Erection of see 12 years after foundation city (1190).

First bishop, Domingo; second, Adam; both were warrior prelates.

* * *

Old cathedral (few remains left) commenced in beginning XIVth century.

Partially destroyed to make room for--

New cathedral, commenced in 1498.

XVIth century Renaissance-Gothic edifice.

Ultra-decorated and ornamented in later centuries.

* * *

Chief attractions: Choir-stalls, western entrance, decorative motives,
sepulchres.

SALAMANCA

Bishopric existed in Vth century. First known bishop, Eleuterio (589).

VIIIth century, devoid of notices concerning see.

Xth century, 7 bishops mentioned--living in Leon or Oviedo.

XIth century, no news, even name of city forgotten.

First bishop _de modernis_, Jeronimo of Valencia (1102).

* * *

Old cathedral still standing; city possesses therefore two cathedrals.

OLD CATHEDRAL