Santuario Nacional del Corazón de Jesús, Montevideo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cerrito Church |
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| National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus | |
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| Location | Cerrito, Montevideo |
| Country | Uruguay |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Dedication | Sacred Heart of Jesus |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Ernesto Vespignani Elzeario Boix Horacio Terra Arocena |
| Style | Neo-Byzantine |
| Completed | 1926 |
The National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (which in Spanish is Santuario Nacional del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús) is a very important Roman Catholic church in Montevideo, Uruguay. People often call it Iglesia del Cerrito because it sits on top of a hill called Cerrito de la Victoria. It is both a local parish church and a special national shrine.
About the Cerrito Church
This church is a famous landmark in Montevideo. It stands out because it is built on top of the Cerrito hill. This high spot makes it easy to see from many parts of the city.
Design and Style
The design of the Cerrito Church was inspired by other famous buildings. It looks a bit like the Sacré-Cœur, Paris church in France. It also has some ideas from the ancient Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). The church uses a style called Neo-Byzantine, which means it looks like old Byzantine buildings. However, it is built using bricks, which gives it a unique look.
History of the Church
The Cerrito Church became a National Sanctuary in 1898. This special title was given by Archbishop Mariano Soler. A "National Sanctuary" means it is a very important place for religious worship in the country. Later, on October 30, 1919, it also became a local parish church. This means it serves the people living in the area around it. The church was completed in 1926.
