"LA MAGISTRAL" CATHEDRAL 

Its full name is Catedral Magistral de los Santos Niños Justo y Pastor, but the people of Alcala refer to it by its short name: "La Magistral".

As its name indicates, it is dedicated to Saints Justo and Pastor, who were martyred on the site in 305. The current cathedral was commissioned to the Egas brothers by Cardinal Cisneros in 1497 and was built in late Gothic style, although the main doorway combines Mudejar and Renaissance elements. The slightly leaning tower was designed by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón and was built in three phases.

In 1519, Pope Leo X granted it the title of Magistral, a title held only by another church: St. Peter's Church in Leuven, Belgium. The title of cathedral was granted in 1991.

If you would like to find out more about La Magistral, be sure to visit its Interpretation Centre or take the chance to visit it on one of the guided tours.

 Image credits: Magistral Cathedral of Saints Justus and Shepherd ©