Santa Bárbara Military Cathedral facts for kids
The Santa Bárbara Military Cathedral is an old and beautiful Catholic church in the Ciudad Colonial (Old City) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It is dedicated to Saint Barbara. This church is a great example of Spanish colonial architecture, which means it was built when Spain ruled the area. Its full name is Santa Iglesia Catedral Castrense Santa Bárbara de los Hombres de la Mar, which means "Saint Barbara Military Cathedral of the Men of the Sea." You can find it in the Santa Bárbara de los Hidalgos Canteros area, right next to the old wall that protected the city.
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History of Santa Bárbara Cathedral
The Santa Bárbara church is very important. It is the main church for the Military Bishopric in the Dominican Republic. This church was built on the very spot where workers dug up stones. These stones were used to build many other famous buildings in the city. Some of these include the main Cathedral, the Alcázar (a palace), and the Fortress.
How the Church Was Built
In 1537, the first building here was simple. It was made of palm leaves and straw boards. Workers would go there to pray and meet. This simple structure lasted almost 30 years. But then, a big storm (a cyclone) destroyed it. In 1562, they started building a stronger church. They used stones from the nearby quarry.
Challenges Over the Years
The church faced many challenges. Several earthquakes hit it, in 1571, 1673, and 1684. Each time, the church needed repairs and rebuilding. Also, in 1586, a famous English sailor named Francis Drake attacked Santo Domingo. During his attack, the church was damaged by fire.
On July 12, 1772, Pope Clement XIV made the church a special place. It became an "Ecclesiastical asylum," a safe place for people. Santa Bárbara also served as a cemetery and a burial site during times of sickness. It became a special place for sailors.
A National Hero's Connection
The church and its nearby square were important in the early life of Juan Pablo Duarte. He is known as the father of the Dominican homeland. On February 4, 1813, he was baptized there when he was just a few days old.
World Heritage Site Status
In 1990, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Santa Bárbara a World Heritage Site. This means it is a very important place that should be protected for everyone.
Restoring the Cathedral
For more than eight years, the church was closed. It was in bad condition in many places. In January 2014, the Dominican government started a big renovation project. The work included making the walls and arches strong again. They also cleaned them and fixed the old vaults. The roof was repaired using original bricks. A new outdoor theater was also built behind the church. It can hold 600 people.
The restoration work finished on December 19, 2019. On that day, the beautiful church was officially reopened.
What Can You See Inside?
The Santa Bárbara church has a unique style. It shows a mix of Spanish colonial architecture with parts of Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. This mix is called Eclectic. The church has two towers that are not the same height and three brick arches.
Inside the Church
Inside, the main part of the church has eight chapels. These chapels show a late-Gothic style. There is also a special altar area called a tabernacle, which is in the Baroque style. The bells of Santa Bárbara originally came from another old church, the Monastery of San Francisco.
The church is filled with beautiful paintings (frescoes) and gifts. Many sailors and merchants who came to the port of Santo Domingo brought these offerings. The floor tiles inside the church were brought all the way from Genoa, Italy.
Interesting Discoveries
In February 2019, something special was found. The remains of Ana María Duarte were identified in the church. She was the sister of Juan Pablo Duarte and died when she was very young. Records show she was buried in the Chapel of Nuestra Señora del Rosario on October 9, 1816.
Patron Saints of the Military
The altar of Santa Bárbara is also where the patron saints of the military forces are honored. The Dominican Navy honors the Virgen del Amparo. The Dominican Air Force honors Our Lady del Carmen. The Dominican Army honors Archangel Saint Michael. And the Dominican Republic National Police honor Saint Jude the Apostle.
See also
- List of colonial buildings in Santo Domingo
