Tlaxcala Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral |
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| Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción | |
Open chapel and bell tower
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| 19°18′50″N 98°14′16″W / 19.31389°N 98.23778°W | |
| Location | Tlaxcala |
| Country | Mexico |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (in Spanish, Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) is a historic Roman Catholic church in the city of Tlaxcala, Mexico. It is the main cathedral for the region, which is known as a diocese.
The cathedral started with a different name. It was first called the Temple of St. Francis of Assisi. Later, when it became the main church for the new Diocese of Tlaxcala, its name was changed to honor Our Lady of the Assumption.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
This beautiful church was built in the 16th century, between the years 1530 and 1536. This makes it one of the oldest churches in Mexico. It was constructed not long after the Spanish arrived in the Americas.
Next to the main church building is a convent, where religious members of the church once lived. The entire complex stands on a hill, giving it a grand appearance over the city.
A Unique Design
The cathedral has a very special and rare design. It was built with a single long hall, called a nave, instead of the cross-shape many other churches have.
The Amazing Wooden Ceiling
One of its most famous features is its wooden roof. The ceiling is decorated in a beautiful Mudejar style. This is an artistic style from Spain that mixes Christian and Islamic designs. The ceiling has complex geometric patterns made of wood panels. It is one of the last and best-preserved ceilings of this kind in all of North and South America.
Other Features
The cathedral also has a dome with eight sides, known as an octagonal dome. The bell tower stands separately from the main church building, which is unusual for churches built during this time.
A World Treasure
In 2021, the cathedral received a great honor. UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site. This means it is considered a place of special cultural and historical importance for the entire world.
It was added to the group of "Monasteries on the slopes of Popocatépetl". This is a collection of 15 monasteries built in the 16th century on and around the Popocatépetl volcano. These buildings are important because they show a new style of architecture that mixed European and native ideas.
Images for kids
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The inside of the cathedral, showing the long nave and the famous wooden ceiling.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Tlaxcala para niños
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Tlaxcala
- Roman Catholicism in Mexico
- Our Lady of the Assumption
