Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary, Ayacucho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of Ayacucho |
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Cathedral of Ayacucho
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Basilica |
| Leadership | Archbishop of Ayacucho |
| Location | |
| Location | Ayacucho District, Ayacucho, Peru |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1632 |
| Completed | 1672 |
The Cathedral of Ayacucho is a beautiful and important church in the city of Ayacucho, Peru. It's also known as the Huamanga Cathedral. This amazing building belongs to the Catholic Church and was recognized as a special Historic Cultural Heritage for Peru in 1972.
You can find it right in the main square, called the Plaza de Armas. The cathedral is built using two types of stone: pink stone in the middle part and gray stone for its tall towers. Building this grand church took a long time! It started in 1632 and was finished in 1672. Many people think it's one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Peru, especially because of its stunning inside decorations. It is the biggest and most important church in Ayacucho.
What Does It Look Like?
The cathedral has four main entrances, which are like big arched doorways. Three of these are on the front of the building, and one is on the side. The main entrance in the front has special double columns on each side. These columns have fancy tops and stand on flat bases. Between these columns, you'll see two special spots with statues of important figures, Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
The church has two towers at the back. The tower on the south side is made of stone. The tower on the north side is made of brick and a material called lime. Both towers have arches, with one large arch on the main sides and two smaller arches on the other sides.
Inside the Cathedral
The cathedral has three main sections inside, called naves. These sections have strong stone supports that hold up 16 high, arched ceilings. There's also a beautiful dome with an eight-sided base.
This cathedral is very important for local traditions. On Easter Sunday, a special parade called the "Procession of the Risen Christ" starts here very early in the morning. This parade marks the end of Holy Week celebrations in Ayacucho.
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A view of the cathedral from the outside during Holy Week.
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The cathedral lit up at night.
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How the cathedral looked in an old drawing from 1847.
More to See
- See more photos of Ayacucho
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Ayacucho para niños
