Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor

Visiting the Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor was like stepping back in time. The breathtaking façade immediately impressed us, and stepping inside to see the towering columns and intricate arches was unforgettable 😍. The whole place has a serene, majestic atmosphere that speaks to centuries of history.

We bought the combined ticket with the Alcazaba, which was great value and made it easy to explore both iconic sites in one visit. Inside the church, we discovered fascinating artifacts and historical displays, from ancient stone carvings to religious art that tells the story of Antequera’s rich past. One of the highlights was learning about the Tarasca, a symbolic figure of faith and tradition 🐉.

This is a must-see landmark when visiting Antequera — a perfect mix of culture, history, and stunning architecture.

Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor

This is one of the earliest examples of Renaissance architecture in Andalusia.
There isn’t much to see inside, but it is a very neat and atmospheric place with an incredibly beautiful carved ceiling and a statue of the Virgin Mary standing on a seven-headed serpent. In front of the church, there is a monument to the famous local writer Pedro Espinosa.

A bit of history:
• The collegiate church was founded on the initiative of Bishop Diego Ramírez de Villaescusa.
• In 1503, Pope Julius II issued a bull allowing the old church (Santa María de la Esperanza) to be transformed into a collegiate church.
• Construction of the current building took place from 1514 to 1550.
• Pedro del Campo is considered the original architect.
• The church has BIC status (“Bien de Interés Cultural”), meaning it is a cultural heritage site.

The pictures im posting show it in-its entirety !! Not that 4€ is alot but this place is empty and void of anything meaningful to see.. yes it is historic and has a story you can read online. But the church has been emptied other than 2 or 3 items . Its a hard pass in my opinion

LAST IF YOU DO WANT TO GO
GET TICKET FOR ALL 3 sites 8€ total
Church, Museum and Alcazaba they dont tell you that

Iglesia de San Juan de Dios (free) and more presence

We bought the combined ticket for 6 euro - we visited both Acazaba and Colegiata. Church looks great from outside. Inside you can spend 5 - 10 minutes only. The most interesting thing for us was the sculpture of the half lady and half serpent. Other than that, the whole area is worth visiting -Alcazaba, Colegiata, and Arco de los Gigantes. All these places are next to each other.

This is a great stop if you’re in the area and history/architecture lover. Stunning well preserved church worth the entry fee. You can also buy a combined ticket and walk the nearby alcazaba!