Iglesia de Santa María del Rosario facts for kids
The Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María del Rosario is a beautiful church. It is located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of downtown Havana, Cuba. You can find it in a place called Cotorro.
History of the Church
This church was built a long time ago, between 1760 and 1766. A bishop named Obispo Espada once called it "The Cathedral of the fields of Cuba." This means he thought it was a very important church, even though it was not in a big city.
The church has been recognized as a National Monument twice. This happened in 1946 and again in 1984. Being a National Monument means it is a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
Inside, the church has a stunning baroque altar. A baroque style means it is very fancy and decorated with lots of details. This altar is so beautiful that people say it is only comparable to the altar in the Church of Remedios. The huge altar still has its Solomonic columns, which are twisted columns covered in real gold.
Famous People Who Visited
Many important people have a connection to the Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María del Rosario.
- The first Cuban scientist to become a doctor, Dr. Tomás Romay y Chacón, was baptized here in 1764.
- The famous Cuban writer Alejo Carpentier got married in this church in the 1940s.
- José María Chacón y Calvo, a well-known Spanish scholar, was also baptized in this church.
- Even Queen Sofia of Spain visited the church in 1999.
