La Seu Nova

The current cathedral in Lleida is considered the earliest construction in the neoclassical style in Catalonia, with a continuing presence of elements from the late Baroque and the French academicist style.

It was designed by Pedro Martín Cermeño and the project was directed by Francisco Sabatini, an Italian resident at the Spanish court. This is a spacious building with a somewhat austere design made of stone in various shades of grey. The church has three naves with half-barrel vaults supported by pillars with adjoining pilasters in the Corinthian order, and buttresses between the side chapels. It has an ambulatory and a transept. The church is reached by a flight of steps on the main façade, presided by an enormous sculpted crest bearing the coats of arms of the House of Borbón. It is designed with three semi-circular doorways framed by neoclassical elements featuring half columns, capitals, friezes and three grilles. It also has two bell tower-turrets at the side, joined by a terrace with a balustrade.