After admiring the relics in the Cámara Santa, visitors can continue their journey through the ancient wing of Oviedo’s Cathedral by ascending to the second floor into the Museum of Sacred Art. This museum opened in 1990, and is one of Asturias’ more important collections of religious iconography.
Depending on how interested you are in gold-plated crucifixes and ornamental robes, you might spend more or less time in the museum. We chose “less”, but mainly because we were too excited to enter the Gothic Cloister. Descending stairs at the far end of the museum, visitors are deposited in a beautiful courtyard. Rectangular with exquisite pointed arches around the yard, this is Asturian Gothic at its most pure.
Adjoining the courtyard are a number of interesting rooms, including the Crypt of Saint Leocadia, a 3rd century Christian martyr from Toledo whose mortal remains were brought to Oviedo to protect them from the Moors. There’s also a chapter house, with choral benches delicately worked in wood, and a garden with an ancient olive tree. This used to be the cemetery of pilgrims who’d died on the way to Santiago, and legend has it that the olive tree was brought from Jerusalem.
Too many people visit the Cathedral and skip out on the Cámara Santa, museum and the Gothic Cloister. That’s understandable, because these rooms don’t seem enticing from the entranceway, and cost money while the Cathedral is free. But don’t make that mistake, or you’ll miss the aspects which make the Cathedral de San Salvador such a unique place of worship.
From our Oviedo Travel Blog!
Looks like a fun exploration. Indy style :)
Totally .. there must be secret passage ways!!!!
A magnificent work of architecture we have in the cathedral but something seems strange to me and I think there should be a meaningful meaning to some of the designs the cathedral holds especially the one with something like a man whose hand has been cut off and others around him. That sculpture or design mean something because artistry works like that cant be made and placed in a cathedral if it had no meaning associated to the cathedral. Your photos are amazing.
I totally agree - symbolism is such an importing thing in the Catholic Church. I wish I had more information for you. Anyways, thank you for stopping by and the awesome copliment!!!
It would have been a very good thing you know because I am a lover of historical things and love explanations a lot. Maybe on your next visit you could ask a worker around. Thank you so much for your kind response! I really appreciate ☺️
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