Metropolitan cathedral mexico city

The Metropolitan cathedral in Mexico City is the oldest and largest cathedral in all of Latin America.  The cathedral is a melody of styles and is located in the city’s main plaza which is called the Zocalo.  Construction on this began in the late 16th century when the Cortes and Spanish missionaries converted the Aztec.  They tore down their temples and used as many of the materials as they could to construct a church on the same site.  The original church where the Metropolitan cathedral is now located was torn down in 1628 and construction was then started.  Over the centuries the cathedral has sunk into the soft lake bottom beneath the surface.  The base of the façade is not level or straight.  Mexico City has been making every effort to preserve this magnificent site.  The cathedral which was once placed on the World Monuments most endangered funds list was removed as a result of their extensive reconstruction of the buildings foundation.  This was quite an accomplishment for Mexico City.  When you travel to the cathedral there are many things to see.  The exterior of the cathedral is a medley of different architectural styles.  Inside four identical domes are supported by rows of columns.  There are 5 naves and 14 chapels which are mostly designed in the ornate Churrigueresque style.  The cathedral has many paintings, altar pieces and statues which are vibrant in color.  The cathedral contains many prized works of art which are mostly from the colonial era.  Some of these are the altar of kings that Jeronimo de Balbas built and carved the Altar de los Reyes and the Altar of Padron.  The cathedral also hosts the tomb of Augstin.  The cathedral has catacombs underneath. In the front of the cathedral you will find various gemstones, crystals and herbs for sale.  These are believed to provide special qualities of protection and cure various afflictions.  The cathedral hosts a sound and light show that is called “Voices of the Cathedral”.  This leads visitors on a candlelit stroll through the cathedral and is accompanied by period music. 

Bascila our lady of Guadalupe mexico city

The Basilica our Lady of Guadalupe is a Catholic shrine that is located in the outskirts of Mexico City.  In 1999, Basilica our Lady of Guadalupe became the most visited catholic shrine in the world.  Our lady of Guadalupe is an aspect of the Virgin Mary who appeared to St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, an Aztec convert to Roman Catholicism in 1531.  According to the traditional account, Juan Diego was walking between his village and Mexico City on December 12, 1531 when Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared and spoke to him.  She told him to build a church at that site.  When Juan Diego told his story people did not believe him.  People asked for signs to know that he was telling the truth.  The virgin appeared to Juan Diego again and although it was winter she told him to gather flowers.  Miraculously Spanish roses appeared at his feet and began to bloom.  When Juan Diego presented the roses to the bishop the roses fell from his apron and an icon of the Virgin was miraculously imprinted on the cloth that was holding them.  The bishop ordered that a church be built at once and that it be dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The shrine of the virgin of Guadalupe has been extremely popular in Mexico ever since.  Spanish missionaries used the story of her appearance to help convert millions of indigenous people in what had been the Aztec empire.  Our Lady of Guadalupe is known to be the rock of the faith of the Catholics in Mexico and the rest of Latin America.  She has been recognized as the patron saint of Mexico City since 1737.  Her patronage continued to extend until it included all of America in 1946.  On November 14, 1921 a factory worker placed a bomb a few feet away from the marble steps of the main alter.  After it blew windows were damaged and a brass crucifix was damaged.  Amazingly the fabric of the apron suffered no damage.  Since 1993 the apron has been protected by bullet proof glass.  In 2002 the pope declared Juan Diego a saint.  He was the first Mexican to achieve sainthood.  The original Bascilla of Our Lady dates from 1563 and still stands.  However the structure weakened over the years and the massive congregation outgrew its size.  Therefore a new Bascilla of Guadalupe was built between 1974 and 1976.  Built in the 1970’s the new basilica looks more like a stadium then a church.  The main focus here is the holy relic and the services that are held.  The church is in a circular shape so the image of the apron can be seen by everyone.  There are moving walkways that go in each direction that transport the crowds by the apron.  You can go on this as many times as you like.  The older bascila houses a museum of hand painted depictions of miracles dedicated to Mary or a saint in gratitude, popular religious art, paintings, sculpture and decorative applied arts from the 15th and 18th century.  A new plaza with a visitor information center, museum and auditorium opened in 2003.  Outside of this a garden commemorating Juan Diego and when he showed the cloak to the archbishop.  On December 12th every year there is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Millions come to the shrine, there are various kinds of music and dance. 

Pueblas cathedral, puebla MExico

The cathedral in Puebla is dedicated to Immaculate Conception.  It is considered to be a treasure of colonial art.  The first stage of the design of the cathedral took place between 1575 and 1618.  Francisco Becerra was the designer.  The original plans for the cathedral consisted of four corner towers which mirrored the cathedral of Valladolid in Spain.  The base of the towers that were built stand as a testament to these plans.  The second phase of construction was done under the direction of Bishop Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, he consecrated the cathedral on April 18,1649.  The main façade is made of dark grey quarrystone and was completed in 1664.  The towers of the cathedral are over 200 feet high and are the tallest in Mexico.  When you visit the cathedral you should make sure you see the main alter.  This was designed by Manuel Tolsa and was built between 1797 and 1819.  The wood for the choir of the church is eight different colors and is inlaid.  This is a great example of Mudejar artwork.

Cathedral our lady of assumption oaxaca

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption was built between 1535 and 1733.  It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oaxaca.  Due to earthquakes in the 16th and 18th centuries the cathedral has had to be reconstructed several times.  The most recent reconstruction was between 1702-1733.  The façade of the cathedral is made of green cantera stone which is commonly found in buildings in Oaxaca.  The interior is neoclassical style.  The altar features a statue of Our Lady of Assumption which was made in Italy.  The towers that are at the cathedral now are not the originals, those were destroyed in 1931 by an earthquake.  In the south tower there is a clock that was donated to Oaxaca King Fernando VII.  The Lord of Lightening is the last chapel on the left and the second on the right contains the remains of the Cross of Huatulco.

church of santo domingo de guzman OAXACA

The construction of the church began in 1570 and took a period of 200 years to finish.  The monastery was active from 1608 to 1857.  During the period of revolutionary wars the buildings were turned over for military use.  In 1993 the monastery underwent a full renovation which was completed in 1999.  The architect responsible for the renovation was Juan Urquiaga.  When the church was restored it was done with over 60,000 sheets of 23.5 karat gold.  The church is one of the city's most ornate structures.  It is famous for it's decorations both inside and out.  The altar is made of gold and beautifully carved wood.  The temple has a Latin cross layout, and ten chapels were built in it's interior.  The cross is covered with a groined vault and is decorated with barreled vault with arches.  Throughout the entire length you can observe circles, ovals and medallions with biblical passages, polychrome Plaster of Paris, wrought iron, paintings and other decorations that are worth seeing.  In the ex convent, the first courtyard has remains of frescoes, paintings of saints of the seventeenth century.  In the upper section the hallways are covered with semicircular arches over imposts and capitals of imbedded columns.  The second courtyard is called the, "Lemon Tree Courtyard."  In the north wing there is an old kitchen and in the west wing there is a auditorium that is used for meetings and conferences.