Málaga Cathedral (La Manquita)

The Cathedral of Málaga, known as La Manquita, stands on Calle Molina Lario in the Centro Histórico of Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. Construction began in 1528 on the site of the former main mosque, after the Catholic Monarchs took the city in 1487, and continued through the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The early design is attributed to Diego de Siloé, with later phases under architects including Diego de Vergara and José de Bada, shifting from Renaissance toward Baroque style. Work stopped in 1782, when funds were diverted, leaving the south tower unfinished, which gave the building its nickname. The church is a hall-type basilica with a tall nave, aisles and rib vaulting, and a Baroque main façade facing Calle Molina Lario. Inside, visitors can see the 17th-century carved wooden choir stalls by Pedro de Mena, which are among the best works of Spanish sculpture of the period, as well as chapels, altarpieces, an organ and a treasury with religious art. The cathedral offers a rooftop visit, with a walkway over the roofs and a view of the city, the port and the Alcazaba. The Patio de los Naranjos, a courtyard with orange trees beside the cathedral, preserves the outline of the former mosque. Displays are arranged around the building itself, with signs describing chapels and the construction history, and an audio guide is normally included in the ticket. Restoration work has repaired stonework and roofing over recent decades, and the interior is in good condition. The building remains an active church, so access is restricted during services and religious festivals, especially Holy Week, when processions leave from the area.