Comenza railings help preserve more than 600 years of history at the Parish of the Sagrario, Seville Cathedral
Seville Cathedral, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as an icon of architectural and spiritual splendour, attracting visitors from around the world. Its construction began in 1401, replacing an Almohad mosque, and for more than a century, skilled craftsmen, architects, and sculptors worked tirelessly to combine Almohad, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements, creating this architectural masterpiece.
At the heart of Seville Cathedral lies the renowned Parish of the Sagrario. This space has undergone several renovations in recent years to address the evident deterioration caused by the passage of time. As part of these improvements, Comenza GlassFit SV-1402 glass railings were installed. These railings have not only revitalized the aesthetics of the space but also play a crucial role in protecting it.
The Seville Cathedral project in detail
During the most recent restoration work carried out at the Cathedral, two remarkable underground galleries were discovered: cisterns with access tunnels that had remained hidden beneath the Patio de los Naranjos. Architects Ignacio Villa Barbacid and Javier Haro Geppi, responding to a request from the Cathedral Chapter, led this comprehensive project, covering everything from the upper rooms of the sacristy to the parish offices. With a strong focus on safety and aesthetics, they chose to integrate Comenza SV-1402 glass railings to protect access to the newly discovered cistern, extending their use to an exhibition room inside the Cathedral itself.
“We decided to install these Comenza railing systems because we were looking for a protective element that was as visually clean as possible, protecting both the cistern discovered in the basement and, on the first floor, the space above the vault and the remains of Almohad plasterwork that still survive,” explains architect Ignacio Villa. The use of glass not only brings a contemporary touch but also achieves seamless integration with the historic surroundings. Rather than appearing out of place, the glass creates a perfect balance between past and present.
The GlassFit SV-1402 side-mounted profile systems, installed by Athair, stand out for their innovative design, which includes internal drainage and the Level-in glass levelling system. The latter overcomes the limitations of traditional methods using fixed wedges, providing an economical, simple, and safe levelling solution.
Regulatory compliance of the Seville Cathedral project
The GlassFit SV-1402 railing system fully complies with the standards established by the Spanish Technical Building Code (CTE) for both private-use (0.8 kN/m) and public-use (1.6 kN/m) categories, providing professionals with reliable technical support for project design. It is installed with 8+8 laminated tempered glass for private use and 10+10 laminated tempered glass for public use, reaching heights of up to 1,100 mm.
By applying a partial safety factor of 1.5 for strength verification, the system ensures full compliance with CTE requirements, including both the Basic Document on Safety of Use and Accessibility and the Basic Document on Structural Safety. It is also backed by international certifications such as the Avis Technique, issued by the CSTB (Scientific and Technical Centre for Building in France), which validates the reliability and safety of construction products.
Ultimately, the railings not only provide safety and protection for the project but also enhance the visual appeal of this historic space.
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