Cathedral Basilica of Santiago de Cuba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption |
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| Catedral Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción | |
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| Location | Santiago de Cuba |
| Country | Cuba |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption is a very important church in Santiago de Cuba, a city in eastern Cuba. People also call it the Santiago de Cuba Cathedral. It is a Roman Catholic cathedral and a minor basilica. The church stands proudly in front of Céspedes Park. Its front has two beautiful sculptures made of marble.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
Early Beginnings
The very first church in Santiago was built in 1514. This was when Spain first started to settle in Cuba. It was a small, simple chapel on a hill. This hill later became the site of the local prison. This first church was named after Saint Catherine.
Becoming a Cathedral
In 1522, this small church, called Ermita de Santa Catalina, became a cathedral. This special change was made by Pope Adrian VI. The building of this first cathedral finished in 1526.
Facing Earthquakes
Over the years, the cathedral has been damaged many times. Strong earthquakes hit it in 1678, 1766, 1852, and 1932. Each time, the church had to be rebuilt or repaired.
Special Titles and Status
In 1882, the church received a special title from the Holy See. It was named a minor basilica. This means it has special ties to the Pope. Later, in 1958, it became a national monument of Cuba. This means it is a very important historical building for the country.
Important People
In the late 1800s, a person named Juan Perpiñan y Pibernat worked at the cathedral. He was in charge of a religious ceremony called the Sacrament of Penance. He was given this role by the king of Spain.
Images for kids
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Another view of the cathedral.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Santiago de Cuba) para niños
