At the end of the 15th century, Salamanca began to become one of the most populated cities in the kingdom, due, in large part, to the University. A petition was made by the Board of Governors of the Cathedral for the construction of a new cathedral to meet the needs of the growing city. Fernando el Católico responded positively to the petition, and in 1509, he directed two well-known master builders, Alonso Rodríguez and Antón Egas, to move to the city and build the new cathedral.
The site of the New Cathedral was to be beside the Old (it was decided that demolition to the latter was not necessary). The building was planned in accordance with the characteristics of the Gothic style. The work begun in 1513 and finished two hundred and twenty years later in 1733. The construction began with master-builder and architect Gil de Hontañón, substituted by his son in 1526 (familiar with the Gothic techniques, as well as introducing Renaissance decorative elements), and in 1577 by Pedro de Gamboa. Numerous architects worked on the Cathedral during the 17th and 18th centuries, executing and completing lavishly ribbed vaults, an enormous cupola, grand windows, medallions, balustrades, extraordinary choir stalls and magnificent sculptures. Inside, it's lofty and elegant. And, outside, one is met with the perfect scaling of the naves and other architectural elements, like the pinnacles, buttresses and flying buttresses, great arches wreathed with filagrees and magnificent high reliefs.
Despite the time spent on the construction of the Cathedral and the consequent mixing of styles, the impression it produces in the visitor is one of elegance and grandeur