Oaxaca Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción |
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The front of the Cathedral.
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Province | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Antequera, Oaxaca |
| Leadership | Archbishop Pedro Vázquez Villalobos |
| Year consecrated | 1733 |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Location | |
| Location | Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico. |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Cathedral |
| Architectural style | Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1573 |
| Completed | 1733 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | South |
| Materials | Cantera stone |
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (which in Spanish is Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) is a very important church. It is located in the city of Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico. This cathedral is the main church for the Catholic Church in that area. Its construction started around 1535, and it was officially opened on July 12, 1733. The cathedral is named after "Our Lady of the Assumption," which refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
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A Look Back: The Cathedral's History
Building the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption began in 1535. While it was being built, another church, the Temple of San Juan de Dios, was used as the main church for the diocese.
In 1640, the cathedral was ready, and the main church duties were moved to Our Lady of the Assumption. Over the years, big earthquakes in the 16th and 18th centuries damaged the cathedral. Because of this, it had to be rebuilt several times. The most recent major rebuilding project started in 1702 and was finished in 1733.
What the Cathedral Looks Like
The outside of the cathedral is made from a special green stone called cantera. This type of stone is very common in buildings around Oaxaca. The inside of the cathedral is designed in a Neoclassical style, which is a classic and grand look.
Inside the Cathedral
The main altar inside the cathedral features a statue of Our Lady of the Assumption (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción). This beautiful statue was made in Italy during the time of Porfirio Díaz, a former president of Mexico. The statue is a bronze sculpture that was brought all the way from Europe and created by an artist named Tadoini.
The tall towers you see on the cathedral today are not the original ones. The first towers were destroyed during a big earthquake in 1931. In the south part of the cathedral, there is a clock. This clock was a gift to Oaxaca from King Fernando VII of Spain.
You can find special chapels inside the cathedral. In the last chapel on the left side, there is a figure called "The Lord of Lightning." In the second chapel on the right, you can find the remains of the "Cross of Huatulco."
The Historic Pipe Organ
On the west wall of the quire (the area where the choir sits), there is a large pipe organ. This organ was built right there in Oaxaca. Parts of it are very old, dating back to 1711–1712. It was carefully restored in 1997 so that its beautiful music can still be enjoyed today.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral Metropolitana de Oaxaca para niños
