The Old Cathedral of Lleida was built between 1203 and 1278 in the Romanesque style, but its tower and main door are from the 15th century and were therefore built in Gothic. In 1707 the cathedral became a military barracks and a new cathedral was built from 1761 to 1781. After decades of neglect, the cathedral became a prison under Franco during the Spanish Civil War and was restored from the 1950s onwards.
The church of San Martín was built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style. During the Reapers' War (1640-1659), it was converted into a military barracks and from the 19th century, it served as a municipal prison. In 2011, the city of Lleida, the university and the diocesan museum are committed to giving the church academic and liturgical uses.
The New Cathedral of Lleida was built between 1761 and 1781 after the old cathedral was requisitioned to serve as a military stronghold during the War of Succession (1701-1715). Carlos III of Spain (1716-1788) granted permission and part of the financing for the construction of the new cathedral, on condition that the city abandoned its intentions to recover the Seu Vella as the seat of the bishop. The new cathedral is in Baroque style, with the influence of French academic classicism.
It is a construction of Romanesque origin, which has undergone multiple modifications and subsequent extensions. There is a semi-circular arched doorway on the south side, dating from 1623, and the current doorway on the front. Attached to the north side of the church, there is the square bell tower of 2.15 x 3.40 meters, which is the best preserved element of the primitive construction.
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