Five centuries of glory in Santa Ana Cathedral in the Canary Islands

In order to comply with the Pope's mandate, Fernando Calvetos asked Eugenio IV to transfer the bishopric from Rubicón to Gran Canaria in 1435. At the same time, the Catholic Monarchs evoked their desire for the construction of the Cathedral of Santa Ana. In 1487, the project to build a cathedral church on the island of Gran Canaria was proposed, and work began around 1497, but this first phase of construction lasted only until 1570, when it came to a standstill due to lack of funds.

It was not until 1776, with the arrival of the Tenerife architect and draughtsman, Diego Nicolás Eduardo, who took up the position of racionero in the Cathedral of Santa Ana, that the second phase of construction began in 1781, which still continues today. However, the very long history of the construction of the Cathedral means that different architectural styles overlap here, such as late Gothic, Neoclassical and Renaissance.

Seat of the Diocese of the Canary Islands of the Catholic Church, the Cathedral of Santa Ana was the only cathedral in the Canary Islands from its construction until the beginning of the 19th century, when the Diocese of Tenerife was created with a bishopric in the Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. That said, in 1974 the Santa Iglesia Catedral-Basílica de Canarias was declared a national historic-artistic monument.

Located in the historic quarter of the capital of Gran Canaria, this famous cathedral stands out at first sight for its façade. Neoclassical in style, this is the feature that most attracts the attention of visitors to Santa Ana Cathedral. On entering, you will immediately notice that the interior of the building has nothing to do with the façade you have just seen. It has three naves, a wider central nave and two narrower side naves bordered by three different chapels. Inside the church, you will find numerous columns and pilasters, a Latin cross plan with a central dome and a beautiful organ, also in Gothic style, seven metres high and five metres wide.

Heading towards the south side of the Cathedral, you will discover the Patio de los Naranjos, which dates from the 17th century, topped by a splendid Canarian balcony and bordered by a number of rooms that are actually former cathedral outbuildings. These rooms house the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where you can enjoy a tour of pieces and objects of sacred art, sculptures and paintings made between the 16th and 19th centuries, as well as themed exhibitions.

Another recommendation is to climb the south tower. You can take the lift and avoid the 200-odd steps to the top. Once at the top of the South Tower, take your time to admire the beautiful views of the Vegueta neighbourhood, the Plaza de Santa Ana and the great beauty of the city of Las Palmas.

In addition, the Cathedral-Basilica of Santa Ana has 11 chapels: of the Immaculate Conception, of St. Peter the Apostle, of St. Teresa of Jesus, of the Sorrows, of St. Joseph, Major, of St. Mary of the Ancient, of the Blessed Sacrament, of St. Gregory, of St. Ferdinand, and of St. Catherine.

Since its foundation in 1478, the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has been the tourist, commercial, cultural and economic centre of the island. Located in the heart of the old quarter of the capital, the Cathedral of Santa Ana plays a fundamental role in the celebration of the festivities of the island of Gran Canaria. Among the most popular and important of the island's festivities is, of course, St. Anne's Day in July. But there is also the Ascension and Corpus Christi flower showers in June, the worship of the Virgin Mary every Saturday of the year, and, of course, Holy Week at the end of March, always with great solemnity and numerous processions of images that have a high historical and artistic value.

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