It was conceived as a fortress church, with great volume and enclosed appearance, being part of the city's defences.

Between 1496 and 1861, the building operated as a collegiate church, and it was that year when it was declared a cathedral.

It has a Latin-cross plan, with a wide transept crossing and circular apse containing several chapels.

The western portico is masterwork consisting of three portals: the central one consecrated to the Virgin, the left one dedicated to San Gil and the right one to the Final Judgement and Saint James.

The cathedral closed down to the public in 1994 after a partial collapse of a vault and major structural damages were found.