Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Coromoto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Coromoto |
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| Guanare Cathedral | |
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Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de Coromoto de Guanare
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| 9°02′43″N 69°45′01″W / 9.0453°N 69.7504°W | |
| Location | Guanare |
| Country | Venezuela |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Diocese of Guanare |
The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Coromoto, often called the Guanare Cathedral, is a very old and important church in Guanare, the capital city of Portuguesa state in Venezuela. This beautiful building is dedicated to the Virgin of Coromoto, who is a special patron saint for Venezuela.
A Look Back: The Cathedral's Story
The first important church building in Guanare started being built way back in 1710. It was finally finished in 1742 by Father Francisco Valenzuela.
But this first church didn't last forever. A big earthquake on October 15, 1782, caused a lot of damage, and the church had to be closed.
Work to rebuild the cathedral began a few years later, in 1788. It took many years, but the reconstruction was completed on November 3, 1807.
Later, on May 24, 1949, Pope Pius XII gave the cathedral a special title: a "Minor Basilica." This means it's a church with special importance.
The cathedral was also declared a historical monument on August 2, 1960. This means it's a protected building because of its history and importance.
What Makes It Special?
One of the most amazing parts of the cathedral is its altarpiece. This is a large, decorated screen or wall behind the altar. It was built by an artist named José Quiñones and has a fancy style called Baroque-Colonial Churrigueresque.
The church also has beautiful stained glass windows. These colorful windows were made by X. F. Zettler in Munich, a city in Germany. They let light shine through in bright patterns.
Find Out More
In Spanish: Basílica catedral de Nuestra Señora de Coromoto (Guanare) para niños- Roman Catholicism in Venezuela
- List of cathedrals in Venezuela
- Our Lady of Coromoto
