Catedral de Santa Ana

The Cathedral of Santa Ana dominates the Plaza de Santa Ana in the Vegueta quarter of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Construction began in 1497, shortly after the Castilian conquest of Gran Canaria, and continued for roughly four centuries, which explains the blend of styles. The interior is late Gothic, with three tall naves, ribbed vaulting and slender columns, while the main facade and towers were completed in neoclassical style in the 18th and 19th centuries. The church is the mother church of the Diocese of Canarias and has long been the spiritual centre of the archipelago. Inside, visitors find a series of side chapels with Baroque altarpieces, polychrome sculpture and paintings, a choir, and the sacristy. Notable works include sculptures attributed to the Canarian artist José Luján Pérez, whose work is closely tied to the island's religious art. The Patio de los Naranjos, an orange-tree courtyard beside the cathedral, offers a quiet contrast to the stone interior. The cathedral is organised around the liturgical plan rather than as a curated museum, so the visit follows the naves, chapels and sacristy in sequence; a separate ticket combination also includes the Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro and access to a tower viewpoint with views over Vegueta and the sea. Preservation has been continuous, with restoration campaigns addressing the stonework, the vaults and the facade, and the building remains an active place of worship. Visitors should dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and avoid visiting during services. Photography rules vary by area and during religious events. The tower climb involves narrow stairs, while the main floor is level. The cathedral's position on the plaza makes it an easy anchor for a walking tour of Vegueta, which includes the Casa de Colón and El Museo Canario nearby.