Puerta del Perdón: The History of Seville Cathedral’s Oldest Gateway

The Puerta del Perdón, the main entrance to the Patio de los Naranjos from Calle Alemanes, is Seville Cathedral’s oldest gateway. Its history reaches back to 1196, when the Almohad ruler Abu Yusuf ordered an extension of the mosque’s forecourt. The original plan had a somewhat defensive character, with walls separating the mosque and its minaret from the city. The Almohads eventually abandoned that approach and shaped the courtyard we know today.

Why Is It Called the Puerta del Perdón?

The name Puerta del Perdón, or “Gate of Forgiveness”, appears at many Spanish churches and is often associated with indulgences and pilgrimages. In this case, however, there are no documents confirming that connection. The name was officially recorded in 1407, after various alterations over time.

A Relief by Miguel Perrín Above the Entrance

One of the gateway’s most striking features is the relief created between 1519 and 1522 by sculptor Miguel Perrín. It depicts the Expulsion of the Merchants from the Temple. Although it was added long after the gateway’s construction, it has become one of its most recognisable features.

Changes Through the Centuries

The gateway has undergone several alterations. Originally, it had a roof terrace with stepped merlons, one of which survives. During the Mudéjar period, it was raised with an addition containing five windows, which have since been restored.

Between 1578 and 1580, a bell tower was added at the top. In the eighteenth century, a decorated wooden canopy was installed. It remained until 1838, when deterioration led to its removal. In its place, a small Giralda figure between vases of lilies was installed, representing the Cathedral Chapter.

The Bronze Doors: A Treasure of Islamic Art

The gateway’s oldest and most valuable feature is its pair of wooden doors clad in bronze, decorated with geometric hexagons, floral motifs and Kufic script. Their style recalls the doors depicted in King Alfonso X’s Cantigas de Santa María. The original door knockers are now kept inside the Giralda.

Recent Restoration

The restoration work described in the original article helped recover aspects of the gateway’s earlier appearance, including the reinstatement of the sloping plinth documented in seventeenth-century images.

The Puerta del Perdón has witnessed Seville’s evolution from the Almohad period to the present. It remains a key place for understanding the history and architecture of Seville Cathedral.

Discover seven hidden corners of Seville that few visitors know.