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 is a very important church in Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico. It is also known as the Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Spanish. This beautiful building is the main church for the Roman Catholic community in the area. Building the cathedral started around 1535, and it was officially opened on July 12, 1733. It is named after Our Lady of the Assumption.
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How the Cathedral Was Built
The construction of this grand cathedral started way back in 1535. While it was being built, a different church, the Temple of San Juan de Dios, served as the main church for the area. In 1640, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption became the official main church.
Over the years, the cathedral faced many challenges. Strong earthquakes in the 1500s and 1700s caused a lot of damage. Because of these earthquakes, the cathedral had to be rebuilt several times. The most recent major rebuilding project began in 1702 and was completed in 1733.
What the Cathedral Looks Like
Outside the Cathedral
The outside of the cathedral is made from a special green stone called cantera. This type of stone is very common in many buildings found in Oaxaca. It gives the cathedral a unique and beautiful look.
Inside the Cathedral
The inside of the cathedral is designed in a Neoclassical style. This means it has a classic and grand appearance. The main altar features a statue of Our Lady of the Assumption, which is called Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Spanish. This important 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.
Special Features and Art
The tall towers you see on the cathedral today are not the original ones. The first towers were destroyed during a big earthquake in Oaxaca 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.
Inside, you can find interesting chapels. In the last chapel on the left side, there is a special image called the Lord of Lightning. The second chapel on the right holds the remains of the Cross of Huatulco, which is a very old and important religious item.
High up on the west wall of the quire (the area where the choir sits) is a large pipe organ. This organ was built right there in Oaxaca. Some parts of it are very old, dating back to 1711 or 1712. It was carefully restored in 1997 so it could be played again.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral Metropolitana de Oaxaca para niños
