It was built in the sixteenth century after the creation of the Diocese of Leiria between 1550 and 1574, whose cloister, sacristy and chapter rooms were built between 1583 and 1604. In 1755 its structure had to be repaired due to the damage caused by an earthquake, leaving it with a robust look that can still be observed today.This cathedral, which is a combination of Mannerist and Baroque styles, was classified as a national monument in November 2014. Its interior is divided into three naves and five sections, and houses three chapels with Renaissance altarpieces. We can highlight its main chapel made by Baltasar Álvares and Fray Joāo Tojriano, with a gilded carving and 17th century panels painted by Simāo Rodrigues. It is one of the few cathedrals in Portugal in which the bell tower is separated from the main building. We also shouldn’t forget about the cloister, located behind the cathedral, where the sacristy is decorated with 17th century tiles and a marble fountain. The Cathedral is located to the southeast of the Castle of Leiria, built in 1135 by order of the first King of Portugal, Alfonso Heriques, to defend the southern border of his kingdom, seeing how Santarém and Lisbon were still under Arab rule. It is worth paying a visit to the Torre de Menagem Museum Complex, where many archaeological materials found in the castle are on exhibition, in addition to replicas of medieval weapons. If you’d like to visit these attractions in the city, you can always use public transport. However, you can also get around in your own car or vehicle. In this case, keep in mind that you can find a Saba car park at Praça Goa Damāo e Diu Street, 2400-171, where you can park your car at any time of day.
