Malaga Cathedral

Malaga Cathedral is visually stunning both from its exterior facade and interior space. Its towering architecture rivals even St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. As the Catholic Church operates under a vertical hierarchy with the Vatican at its center, the Bishop of Malaga ranks at least two levels below the Pope. The construction of Malaga Cathedral was actually an overreach of standard ecclesiastical regulations. Construction began in the 15th century but was halted in the 18th century, leaving only one of the two planned symmetrical towers completed. The cathedral blends Gothic and Renaissance styles with virtually no Islamic architectural influences. The wooden choir stalls inside feature exquisite carvings, and while the paintings are impressive, they don't match the fame or quality of those in Rome. Unlike Italian churches which are free to enter, Spain's notable cathedrals in Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, and Granada all charge substantial admission fees despite their similarly grand architecture.