Málaga Cathedral Roof Works Reach Halfway Point: Completion Set for Late 2027

If you live in or have visited Málaga recently, you have undoubtedly noticed the scaffolding hugging the upper reaches of our beloved Cathedral. Affectionately known as La Manquita (The One-Armed Lady) due to her unfinished south tower, the building has been undergoing a massive, highly visible intervention on its roof. For a while, it might have felt like the Cathedral was destined to be perpetually under construction. However, there is excellent news on the horizon.

According to recent updates covering the city’s developments in Diario Sur, the ambitious project to finally complete the Cathedral’s roof has officially reached the halfway mark. With 50% of the structural work now behind us, the timeline is firming up: completion is definitively set for the end of 2027.

Decades of Water Damage

To understand why this project is so critical, you have to look back at the building’s history. When construction on the Cathedral was halted in the late 18th century, it was left with a flat roof that was never part of the original design. Over the centuries, this flat surface became the building’s Achilles’ heel. Rainwater pooled, seeped through the porous stone, and caused significant damage to the interior vaults, threatening the priceless artwork and structural integrity of the nave.

Various temporary fixes were attempted over the decades, including a controversial ceramic skin applied in the early 2000s, but nothing stopped the leaks entirely. The current project is not just a patch job; it is a permanent architectural solution based on the 1764 plans by Ventura Rodríguez, featuring a proper gabled roof that will shed water effectively.

What the 50% Milestone Means

Reaching the halfway point in early 2026 is a massive sigh of relief for heritage conservationists and locals alike. The complex wooden and steel framework that forms the skeleton of the new roof is visibly taking shape above the stone vaults.

The logistics of this construction are staggering. Materials have to be hoisted high above the historic city center without disrupting the daily life of the streets below. Reaching the 50% mark means the most challenging preliminary phases—including structural reinforcement and the careful removal of old, failed waterproofing layers—have been successfully navigated.

Looking Ahead to Late 2027

For those wondering when the Málaga Cathedral construction will finish, the target is the final quarter of 2027. But the end of the scaffolding will bring more than just a dry interior.

One of the most exciting aspects of this restoration is that the new roof structure has been designed to be walkable. Once the works conclude, a new phase of Málaga Cathedral roof visits will begin. The space between the historic stone vaults and the new exterior roof will be opened to the public, offering a unique architectural perspective and unprecedented panoramic views over the historic center, the Alcazaba, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Watching a centuries-old monument undergo such a massive transformation is a reminder that our cities are living, breathing things. While the scaffolding might temporarily obscure our photographs, knowing that La Manquita is finally getting the protective roof she deserves feels deeply reassuring. We look forward to the day in late 2027 when we can walk along those new rooftop pathways, looking out over the city that has loved and protected this gloriously imperfect cathedral for generations.