When I first stepped into the Catedral de Granada, I wasn't prepared for how different it would feel from other Spanish cathedrals I'd visited. This Renaissance masterpiece, officially called the Cathedral Basilica of the Incarnation, breaks away from the Gothic traditions you'll find elsewhere in Andalusia.

The story behind its construction is fascinating. Work began in 1523 under Enrique Egas, who initially planned a Gothic structure following the models of Toledo and Sevilla cathedrals. But in 1528, Diego de Siloé took over and completely transformed the project into something revolutionary for its time. He introduced a Renaissance design inspired by Roman architecture that would influence Spanish cathedral building for centuries.

What strikes you immediately is the circular main chapel – a bold departure from the typical longitudinal layout. With its 22-meter diameter and soaring dome, it was originally conceived as a mausoleum for the Habsburg dynasty. When Philip II decided to move royal burials to El Escorial, the space was repurposed, and Alonso Cano later decorated it with paintings that tell the story of salvation.

The cathedral's proportions are impressive: 116 meters long and 67 meters wide, with five naves separated by towering Corinthian pillars. The central nave reaches 34.5 meters high, creating a sense of vertical grandeur enhanced by the predominantly white interior. This isn't just aesthetic choice – the lime paint protects the stone while creating brilliant light diffusion throughout the space.

Construction dragged on for nearly two centuries. Alonso Cano revolutionized the project again in 1667 when he designed the main façade with its distinctive triple arcade. The building wasn't actually completed until 1704, and even then, the tower remains unfinished – a reminder of the ambitious scope that outpaced available resources.

Walking through the ambulatory around the main altar, you get a sense of the processional nature Siloé intended. The twelve golden apostle statues surrounding the altar create an almost theatrical backdrop, while the current marble tabernacle, installed in the 1920s, serves as the dramatic centerpiece.

If you want to understand the architectural details better, there's an audio guide available that covers the various building phases and artistic elements. The cathedral represents one of the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture, and you can easily spend an hour exploring its chapels, sculptures, and the interplay of light that makes this Granada landmark so memorable.