A Cathedral is defined as “the only Church where the Bishop’s seat, or cathedra, is located; it is a token of the mastery and power of the Cathedral Church’s pastor and also a symbol of the union of all believers in the faith under the guidance of the Bishop, pastor of the flock”. The Cathedral Church is the tangible, visible image of the Church of Christ the pilgrim on Earth; it is the Bishop’s Church and also the Church of the Diocesan Community. First and foremost, the Cathedral Church has a theological significance: it is the symbol of the Church of Christ, which takes the form of one specific church building. However, it is also significant because it is the location where worship takes place, as it is here where God, the Mother of God, the Holy Saints and other Blessed figures are all venerated. It is in this church where the Bishop oversees the liturgy on the most solemn days of the year, when he is surrounded by his presbyters, ministers and the faithful. The masses that mark the passing religious seasons are times of momentous significance for the Cathedral Church and are times of great celebration. Rightly so, this is the center of the liturgical life of the Diocese.

The true wealth of the Cathedral Church is to be found in its liturgical and religious significance, in the worship that takes place within; yet this dimension cannot easily be removed from its historical and cultural significance, i.e. its role as “historical memory” and as a reflection of changing cultural patterns throughout the ages. It could easily be said that the Cathedrals are the premier monuments in Salamanca, a World Heritage City. The Cathedrals do indeed offer visitors on tour a number of activities ranging from panoramic views, to concerts, exhibits, restorations of architectural marvels and works of art, publications and research, and a library and archives service. This wide scope of cultural offerings constitute a part of our efforts to promote cultural knowledge among those in society who thirst for it.