Introduction

The façade of Pamplona Cathedral is one of the best examples of the new academic architecture which, little by little, during the second half of the 18th century, displaced the Baroque taste so deeply rooted in Spanish society. Its importance lies in the fact that it was designed by one of the best Spanish architects of the time, Ventura Rodríguez. It replaced the old Romanesque cathedral façade, which had managed to survive until then. One hundred years before it was demolished, Father Alesón described it as "rough and tarnished, esteemed only for the great antiquity it shows", although it was not until the episcopate of Gaspar de Miranda y Argáiz (1742-67) that the need to build a new frontispiece was mentioned for the first time. Donations from several canons were the final impetus for the chapter to approve its construction in 1782. Several designs by local artists were sent to the Royal Academy of San Fernando for examination, and one of the chapter members, Felipe García de Samaniego, a resident of the Court and an honorary member of that institution, took charge of the work. He and Antonio Ponz, the well-known author of Viaje de España, were the ones who were really responsible for the direction the matter took: the plans sent from Pamplona were rejected, Ventura Rodríguez was chosen to design the project and Santos Ángel de Ochandátegui was chosen to execute it. Work began in 1783 and continued until 1800.