Finally in May 2015, visits to the roof of the Cathedral of Malaga were made possible, which we, citizens and also tourists, greatly appreciate. With this initiative we are able to enjoy the city in a different way, and this time from one of the defining historic buildings of the skyline of Malaga.

The tour lasts about one hour, starting at the Plaza del Obispo, at the Bishop’s palace. From there a guide accompanies us on our journey through the roof, which begins at the courtyard of the Cathedral. The ascent is on foot, in the first part made inside the North Tower (the only one finished) until we arrive to a middle level. In this stopover they have enabled a balcony facing the interior of the building.

View of the Plaza del Obispo from the roof of the Cathedral of Malaga

In this case, we are at the level of the high cornice of the interior, so we can admire from this height the spectacular stained glass windows of the Cathedral of Malaga. The views from this level to the city are already spectacular, and the direct and close contact with the stones, some almost five centuries old, make you think about events that this monument had seen throughout his life.

Stained glass windows at the Cathedral of Malaga

The climb continues along the north side door of the monument, which has some circular shapes. Inside, a spiral staircase leads to the upper level, and that is where we can walk on the roof of the Cathedral. The view spread before us is spectacular, and not only the city view, but the one of the best kept secrets of the city, the waving forms of its roof made of brick.

At the present architectural intervention of the Cathedral of Malaga they have just made the works for making the public visit possible. Some years ago, they made a new roof over the existing monument that virtually copied the way it was and made a new one overlapped. It’s a shame that this recent reform is already deteriorating and showing some cracks. Indeed, this roof solution is not originally designed for this building.

Inside view of the vaulted ceilings of the Cathedral of Malaga

Like the south tower, unfinished at the roof level, the roof itself is unfinished. The original project included a pitched roof to drain rainwater, which was never built. Therefore there are problems of leaking rainwater from its construction, and today we see it translated into unpleasant nets that keep us from seeing directly the interior decoration of the vaults, which serve to avoid possible falling debris due to leaks.

We hope they will reach to a definite solution on this matter. Meanwhile, we can enjoy these waving forms that sometimes remind us of the roofs of Casa Mila (La Pedrera) in Barcelona, from Gaudi. But in this case, unlike the modernist building, we are at a high point from where to see the city and the sea, so close and so far from the center at the same time, as in the historical district its presence is unnoticed unless you climb to one of the viewpoints in our city.

The experience is really recommendable and even more, throughout the tour our guide shows us interesting stories about the Cathedral of Malaga. And if you want to have the full experience, we recommend you to go at sunset, as it is an ideal point where see the sun going down in our admired city.

Voilà Malaga can get you reservations for this special visit. In fact we recommend it as one of the best options in our customized tours in our “Full day experiences“. Contact us and enjoy an unforgettable experience.