The choir, to the east of the nave, is the portion of the cathedral reserved for the clergy. The original choir was of modest size and had a relatively low ceiling. It was entirely rebuilt beginning in 1865 in a Neo-Romanesque style, with the height increased to twenty meters to match the nave, and given more abundant decoration, including of gilded palm leaves on the cornices, and marble and granite columns with gilded capitals. A large bay and window was opened to the east, and the choir was decorated with polychrome painting in the vaults and pastels on the walls.