The origins of Ávila Cathedral date back to Saint Secondus, who was sent to Ávila in the 1st century to become the first bishop of the diocese of Ávila. Following a period of Visigothic organization and subsequent abandonment during Muslim rule, Christian activity was revived with the Reconquista led by Alfonso VI in the late 11th century. The repopulation effort spearheaded by Raymond of Burgundy included the construction of city walls and an initial church dedicated to the Savior. Around 1170, construction began on the current cathedral on this site, a process that spanned more than three centuries. The original design, attributed to Master Fruchel, evolved from the Romanesque to the Gothic style. Similarly, in the 15th and 16th centuries, renovations were undertaken at the cathedral, such as the installation of the choir and the Chapel of Saint Secondus.
Bibliography
GÓMEZ-MORENO, Manuel (1983): Catálogo Monumental de la provincia de Ávila, vol. 1 Texto, Ministerio de Cultura, Ávila.
PARRADO DEL OLMO, Jesús María (2014): "La Edad Moderna en la Catedral de Ávila: una nueva época", La catedral de Ávila. Nueve siglos de historia y arte, Promecal. Diario de Ávila, Ávila.
RUIZ-AYÚCAR, Irene (1991): El proceso desamortizador en la provincia de Ávila (1836-1883), Institución Gran Duque de Alba, Ávila.
SABE ANDREU, Ana (2013): "Libros de música en la catedral de Ávila hasta 1630", en SUÁREZ PAJARES, Javier y GÓMEZ DEL SOL, Manuel (ed.), Estudios. Tomás Luis de Victoria. Studies, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid.