Jaca Cathedral

Jaca Cathedral, in Jaca, Aragón, is a major cathedral whose importance comes from the meeting of sacred use, architecture and historical memory. One of the formative monuments of Spanish Romanesque architecture and an important cathedral on the Camino de Santiago. The Romanesque cathedral was begun in the late 11th century under King Sancho Ramírez, with an early construction phase around 1077–1082 and further work in the early 12th century.

Its position on the Aragonese branch of the Camino de Santiago helped transmit Romanesque forms and decorative motifs, including the celebrated checkerboard pattern often called ajedrezado jaqués. Architecturally, the site is characterised by romanesque with gothic, renaissance and baroque additions.

Seminal Spanish Romanesque cathedral on the Aragonese branch of the Camino de Santiago. Religious use and pilgrimage at the site include Mass, prayer, and pilgrimage visits. Because worship, ceremonies and heritage visits can overlap, visitors should consult the official institution or the cited public authority for current access, service and visiting arrangements.