Tortosa Cathedral to open its apse roof to visitors in May

A major restoration project has recovered 500 architectural elements and fixed long-standing water leakage issues.

Generic image of the upper part of a gothic cathedral featuring restored stone gargoyles and architectural elements.
IA

Generic image of the upper part of a gothic cathedral featuring restored stone gargoyles and architectural elements.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria de Tortosa is set to launch guided tours of its apse roof this May, following the completion of a significant restoration phase in the Baix Ebre region.

Architects Carles Brull and Andreu Alfonso led the project, which successfully restored over 500 decorative and structural pieces, including gargoyles and stained glass windows. The intervention also completed the battlements originally planned in the 14th century, effectively stopping water from damaging the basilica's interior.

"We are finishing in the 21st century a work that began seven centuries ago and, for unknown reasons, was never completed."

Mossèn Cardona · Dean of the Cathedral Chapter
The 552,742 euro investment was funded by the Ministry of Housing and the Diputació de Tarragona. Visitors will soon be able to explore the high galleries of the cathedral, which Mossèn Cardona described as an 'extraordinary jewel' of gothic art, featuring intricate carvings of human and mythical figures.