New Cathedral of Lleida

The New Cathedral of Lleida, also called La Seu Nova, is the seat of the Bishop of Lleida, located in Lleida, Catalonia. It was built between 1761 and 1781 with donations from Charles III of Spain, bishop Joaquín Sánchez, and other citizens of Lleida. The New Catheseal replaced the old cathedral, called La Seu Vella, which had been converted into a fortress and garrison as a result of the War of Spanish Succession.
Its style can be said to be austere Baroque or Neoclassical, and it is located along the main commercial street of the city, adjacent to the Hospital de Santa Maria.

History

The current cathedral replaced the earlier cathedral, La Seu Vella, located in the highest point in town, and for a time used as a garrison. The church was constructed in an early Neoclassical style, using designs by Pedro Martín Cermeño and construction directed by Francisco Sabatini. The austere building was built with local gray stone, but with a coat of arms of the ruling House of Bourbon.
It has two large flanking bell towers, joined by a terrace with a balustrade.