La Laguna Cathedral facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Laguna
West façade.
Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna Location in Canary Islands
28°29′20″N 16°18′59″W / 28.48889°N 16.31639°W / 28.48889; -16.31639
Location	San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife
Country	Spain
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
Website	Official Website: http://lalagunacatedral.com/
History
Status	Cathedral
Architecture
Architectural type	Church
Style	Neoclassical, Neogothic
Groundbreaking	1904
Completed	1915

The Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a very important Roman Catholic church in Tenerife, Spain. It is also known as Catedral de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios in Spanish. This beautiful building was started in 1904 and finished in 1915. It is dedicated to the Virgin of Los Remedios, who is the patron saint of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna and the island of Tenerife.

As a cathedral, it is the main church of the diocese. This diocese covers the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. The bishop of the diocese, currently Bishop Bernardo Álvarez Afonso, has his official seat here. This makes it one of the most significant churches in the Canary Islands.

The Cathedral is located in the historic city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna in Tenerife. Inside, you can find the remains of Alonso Fernandez de Lugo, who was the conqueror of the island and the person who founded the city. The cathedral is part of the city's historic center, which was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The building shows off different styles, including Neoclassical and Neo-Gothic. Its most famous parts are its Neoclassical front, which looks like the Cathedral of Pamplona, and its large dome, which stands out in the city's skyline.

A Look at the Cathedral's History

Early Churches on This Site

Plan of the church from 1809-1905

In 1511, a small hermitage (a type of chapel) was built where the cathedral stands today. This was ordered by the conqueror, Alonso Fernández de Lugo. It's believed that this area was once an ancient burial ground for the Guanches, the native people of the island. The entire valley of Aguere, where the city is, was also a special place for the island's native people to visit.

This first chapel was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was later replaced in 1515 by a larger church dedicated to the Virgin of Los Remedios. This new church was built in the Mudéjar style, which mixes Christian and Islamic art. A tower was added to it in 1618. On April 21, 1515, this church became a parish, named Santa Maria de los Remedios. The feast day for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8.

In the same year, a Portuguese builder named Miguel Alonso created the main chapel, the altar, and other important parts using stone.

A very special event happened here on April 7, 1534: Saint José de Anchieta was baptized in this church. He was born in La Laguna and later became a missionary. He helped found the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The cathedral is now a special place in the Canary Islands that honors him.

In 1752, new parts were added to the church, like a transept (the part that crosses the main body of the church). The main chapel was also made bigger. Don Domingo de la Guerra, who led this work, hoped the church would one day become a cathedral.

Becoming a Cathedral

For many years, people tried to make the Church of Los Remedios a cathedral. These early attempts were not successful.

In 1783, during a time of new ideas called the Age of Enlightenment, a request was made for the church to become a diocese. However, this idea was not accepted at first.

Finally, on February 1, 1819, a special order from the Pope allowed the creation of a new diocese in La Laguna. The church officially became a cathedral in 1819, thanks to Pope Pius VII. This new diocese covers the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.

A priest named Cristóbal Bencomo y Rodríguez played a big part in making the church a cathedral. He was a close advisor to King Ferdinand VII of Spain. His tomb is now inside the Cathedral of La Laguna.

At that time, San Cristóbal de La Laguna was the capital of Tenerife. That's why the cathedral was built there, not in the current capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The main church office is still in La Laguna. On October 5, 1983, the Cathedral of La Laguna was named a National Historic-Artistic Monument in Spain.

For a period between 1851 and 1875, the cathedral lost its title. It became a collegiate church, which is a church with a college of canons (priests). When the diocese was brought back in 1875, the church became a cathedral again.

The cathedral is also a parish church and a special place for the Virgin Mary. The Virgin of Los Remedios is the patron saint of the diocese and Tenerife. People hope this church will soon be declared a minor basilica by the Holy See.

Major Restoration (2002–2014)

Dome of the cathedral

In 2002, the cathedral was closed for a big restoration project. It was meant to reopen in a few years. However, due to some problems, it stayed closed for over ten years. During the study before the restoration, workers found that the main dome and arches were very damaged. The only way to fix them was to take them down and rebuild them. The new arches and domes were built using a new material called polypropylene fiber. This made the cathedral the first in the world to use this material. The cathedral finally reopened its doors on January 25, 2014, and services started again on January 31.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary and reopening, a special Jubilee Year was held from April 27, 2014, to April 12, 2015. This Jubilee was approved by Pope Francis.

During the restoration, in 2014, archaeological remains were found underground. These findings suggested they belonged to the old Church of Los Remedios or to structures from the city's first European settlement. Later, in 2018, human remains from the 16th century were found, suggesting the site was once an old church cemetery.

Cathedral Architecture

The front of the cathedral, in the Neoclassical style, was built around 1820. The main building you see today was constructed between 1904 and 1915 in the Neo-Gothic style. The cathedral has three wide aisles and a special walkway called an ambulatory that goes around the main altar. This ambulatory is unique in the Canary Islands. These features give the inside of the cathedral a feeling of a medieval European church, which is different from its outside appearance.

The cathedral's large dome has a big concrete cross on top. It is about 41.5 meters (136 feet) tall, making it the highest point in the old town. Small windows at the top of the arches let in natural light. The dome is covered with copper plates, looking like cathedrals in central and northern Europe.

Exploring the Chapels

Plan of the Cathedral of La Laguna
1- Ambulatory
2- High altar
3- Dome
4- Pulpit
5- Stalls of Cathedral Chapter
6- Organ loft
7- Portal
8- Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies
9- Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
10- Chapel of Saint Teresa of Avila
11- Side entrance on the street Obispo Rey Redondo (Calle de La Carrera)
12- Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
13- Chapel of Saint Barbara
14- Table of Souls in Purgatory
15- Chapel of Christ tied to the Column
16- Chapel of Our Lady of Candelaria
17- Side entrance down the street Bencomo
18- Chapel of Saint Joseph of Nazareth
19- Chapel of the Baptistery

Chapel of Saint Teresa of Avila

This chapel features a Neo-Gothic altarpiece dedicated to Saint Teresa of Avila. Her statue is in the center. The chapel also has an altarpiece of Ecce Homo, which is locally called Señor de la Cañita. This was placed here in March 2014, after the cathedral reopened.

Altarpiece of Saint Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa of Avila
Señor de la Cañita

Chapel of the Immaculate Conception

This chapel is on the right side of the cathedral, next to the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. Its altarpiece was made in 1915. It was damaged during the cathedral's closure from 2002 to 2014 but has now been restored. You can also see the sculpture Our Lady of Light (Nuestra Señora de la Luz) here, which dates back to the mid-16th century. This statue is thought to be by the sculptor Roque Balduque. The tomb of Bishop Nicolás Rey y Redondo is at the back of this chapel.

Nuestra Señora de la Luz
Altarpiece of the Immaculate Conception
Stained glass windows depicting Saint Diego de Alcalá and Blessed Ignacio de Azevedo

Chapel of Christ Tied to the Column

The main sculpture in this chapel is of Christ at the column. It was made by the sculptor Pietro Galleano in Genoa, Italy, and blessed on June 6, 1756. The altarpiece around it was carved between 1763 and 1765 and is covered in gold. Next to Christ, there is a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows from Seville, believed to be by Gabriel Astorga y Miranda. On the other side is Saint Mary Magdalene, a sculpture by Fernando Estévez. A statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is also in this chapel. The tomb of Bishop Luis Franco Cascón is here.

Our Lady of Sorrows
Christ at the column
Saint Mary Magdalene

Chapel of Our Lady of Candelaria

This chapel's altarpiece is dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria. The statue of the Virgin of Candelaria is a copy of the patron saint of the Canary Islands, who is honored in the Shrine Basilica in Candelaria. This statue was made by Faustino Álvarez Hernández and later restored. Next to the Virgin are statues of the Canarian saints Saint José de Anchieta and Saint Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur. The chapel also has a sculpture of Christ Nazarene from Valencia and an 18th-century statue of Our Lady of Solitude by José Rodríguez de la Oliva.

Saint José de Anchieta
Virgin of Candelaria
Christ Nazarene

Chapel of Saint Joseph of Nazareth

The statue of Saint Joseph of Nazareth in this chapel wears rich cloth robes and dates from the late 17th century. The figure of the Child Jesus was added later. You can also see sculptures of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim here, which are considered excellent examples of 18th-century Canarian art. At the top of the altar is a small wooden statue of Saint Jerome.

Saint Anne
Saint Joseph of Nazareth
Saint Joachim

Chapel of Saint Barbara

The altarpiece of Saint Barbara is in the Neo-Gothic style. It was designed by Francisco Bonnin Guerin. This altarpiece was originally in the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This chapel also holds the altarpiece of Our Lady of La Salette, which was given as a gift in 1915.

Neo-Gothic altarpiece of Saint Barbara
Sculpture of Saint Barbara
Altarpiece of Our Lady of La Salette

Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The altarpiece of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel is another Neo-Gothic piece. In the center is the statue of the Virgin of Mount Carmel, dressed in a baroque style. This statue has been in the cathedral since 1619. In the side sections, you'll find sculptures of Saint Andrew the Apostle and Saint Therese of Lisieux. On one side is the image of Christ of Burgos. The original statue of this Christ was destroyed in a fire in 1964.

Saint Andrew the Apostle
Altarpiece of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Christ of Burgos

Chapel of the Baptistery

Most of this chapel is taken up by a baptismal font from 1969. This chapel also has the altarpiece of Saint Thomas Aquinas with a statue of the saint. Next to it is a statue of the Virgin of Mercy, created by the sculptor José Rodríguez de la Oliva. Another image here is Saint Lawrence of Rome, likely from the second half of the 17th century.

Virgin of Mercy
Altarpiece of Saint Thomas Aquinas and baptismal font
Saint Lawrence of Rome

Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies

Altarpiece of Our Lady of Remedies

The most important part inside the cathedral is the altarpiece of Our Lady of Remedies. She is the patron saint of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the island of Tenerife, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. The cathedral is dedicated to her. Her feast day is celebrated on September 8.

The altarpiece of Our Lady of Remedies is in a chapel in the transept of the cathedral. It is the largest altarpiece in the Canary Islands. It is a grand Baroque altarpiece from the early 18th century. It has an amazing set of seven panels believed to be by Hendrick Van Balen, who was Van Dyck's teacher. The statue of the Virgin of Los Remedios is in the center. She is dressed in rich robes and sits on a silver throne.

Other Artworks and Treasures

Inside the cathedral, you can see a pulpit made of Carrara marble from Italy. It was carved by Pasquale Bocciardo and is considered one of the best marble works in the Canary Islands. There are also valuable artworks by Cristóbal Hernández de Quintana, Luján Pérez, and Fernando Estévez.

The cathedral also has a statue of Christ of Los Remedios, which is considered a "twin" of the famous Cristo de La Laguna. This statue is on the marble tabernacle of the main altar. It dates from the 16th century, and the artist is unknown. The church also displays a large painting called The Souls of Purgatory by Cristóbal Hernández de Quintana, and a painting of the Last Supper by Juan de Miranda.

The cathedral keeps relics of several saints, including Saint Aurelio de Córdoba, Saint Faustino, Saint Venusto, and Saint Amado Nusco. There is also a piece of the cloak of Saint Ferdinand and a bone of James the Less. But the most important relics are those of the two saints from the Canary Islands: Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur and José de Anchieta.

The Cathedral of La Laguna has the largest collection of gold and silver pieces (goldsmith work) in the Canary Islands. Most of these pieces are from the 17th and 18th centuries. Among them are two silver candlesticks that are the largest in Spain. The treasure also includes religious carvings, special clothing, and paintings.

Music in the Cathedral

Choir of the Cathedral of La Laguna

After the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna was created and the church became a cathedral, it became a major center for music.

A music chapel was formed at the cathedral. Miguel Jurado Bustamante, a composer from Cadiz, served as the choirmaster. Other important composers who worked at the cathedral include Remigio Oliva, Manuel Fragoso, and Nicolás González.

Miguel Jurado Bustamante created many religious music pieces in both Latin (like masses and motets) and Castilian (like carols). About 140 of his works have been found.

Miguel Jurado also taught other local musicians. One of the most famous was Domingo Crisanto Delgado Gómez, a well-known composer from the Canary Islands in the 19th century. In 1836, he became the first organist of the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista of Puerto Rico.

Another great composer who worked at the cathedral was Domingo Herrera Guillén.

Chapter House and Icon Museum

The chapter house is where the cathedral chapter meets. This group of priests is in charge of the cathedral's religious and cultural activities. The building itself is an old Canarian house from the 18th century, connected to the cathedral.

It also houses the icons museum. This museum has the largest collection of Byzantine icons in Spain, with 160 original pieces. Most of these icons are about 300 years old. They belong to the Diocese of Tenerife and come mainly from countries like Russia, Romania, Yugoslavia, Italy, and Greece. These artworks arrived in Tenerife through gifts to the bishopric and from traders visiting the Canary Islands.

The La Laguna Cathedral is one of the few Catholic cathedrals in the world that has a museum dedicated to Orthodox art.

Important Events and Celebrations

Many important religious events and celebrations take place in the cathedral. During Holy Week, the cathedral is a central point for people in La Laguna. Different groups perform their special processions here. One of the most important is the procession of the Cristo de La Laguna, which is a very honored image in the Canary Islands. Every Holy Friday, it comes to the cathedral and then leaves for the Magna Procession.

The image of the Christ also visits the temple in September for its celebrations, staying from September 9 to 14. Also in September, the feast of Our Lady of Remedies, the patron saint of the cathedral and the diocese, is celebrated on September 8. This includes a procession of the Virgin through the streets. Every February 2, the procession of Las Candelas takes place with the image of Our Lady of Candelaria from the cathedral. Other important events include the city's patron saint festival for Saint Christopher (July 27), the Corpus Christi procession, and the feast of Saint José de Anchieta on June 9.

Interesting Facts About the Cathedral

Immurement at the Cathedral

Immurement was a very strict religious practice in the Middle Ages. It involved people, especially women, choosing to live in small rooms next to the main altar of churches. These rooms had a window with a grid so they could attend mass and receive communion.

In the old church where the Cathedral of La Laguna now stands, there was a unique case of immurement in the 16th century. A woman named Isabel de la Cruz lived this way. After she passed away, her niece, María de las Vírgenes, and later her great-niece, María Emerenciana, continued this practice. María Emerenciana had actually been raised by her aunt in this special room since she was a child.

Vision of the Virgin of Los Remedios

John of Jesus Hernández y Delgado was a Franciscan friar in the 17th century. He lived in a convent outside La Laguna. John of Jesus said he saw the Virgin of Los Remedios blessing the city from the top of the church tower, which is now the Cathedral of La Laguna. This vision was shared during the friar's funeral.