Introduction
The Metropolitan Cathedral is without a doubt one of the most notable structures in Mexico City’s historic center. It offers a synopsis of five centuries of Mexican art and architecture, in addition to its religious significance. The colonial Spaniards erected the most grandiose chapel in the Americas on the ruins of an Aztec temple in the heart of the Aztec metropolis of Tenochtitlan.
The building’s imposing grandeur, intriguing history, and stunning art and architecture make it one of the country’s most notable structures. The cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Mexico and is located on the north side of Mexico City’s main square. The Plaza de la Constitución, better known as the Zocalo, and next to the Templo Mayor archaeological site. You love to know about the history of Alaska Airlines Flight Booking is waiting for you. Which offers a glimpse into life in the 1500s before the arrival of the Spaniards.
History
When the Spaniards invaded Mexico City, they made it a priority to build a church as a symbol of their control over the newly conquered region. However, they chose a location that was adjacent to an existing Aztec temple. The existing Templo Mayor of the Aztec god ‘Huitzilopochtli,’ a significant deity in Tenochtitlán, was then totally dismantled, leaving just the stones to be utilized in the construction of the new church.
The church has served as a major religious center in Mexico and has witnessed many significant historical events. Such as the coronation of various emperors, bicentennial independence celebrations. The burial of many independence heroes and former archbishops of Mexico. And the closure of the cathedral during the Cristero war, among others. Due to political considerations, it also witnessed the many stages of building.
Historical Cathedral
Initially, between 1524 and 1532, a tiny Moorish-style church was constructed. It was discovered in 1534 after it had been appointed as a Cathedral, that it was far too tiny to fit the purpose of a cathedral. It was then designated as ‘Metropolitan’ in 1547. As a result, in the 1570s, work on a new church on the same site as the old one began. However, the construction process was hindered by difficulties caused by the soft soil below. Many more such instances later resulted in the church’s construction being delayed.
Floods in the region in 1629 put a stop to construction for several years. The water level had risen to 2 meters, destroying a large portion of the church. In 1967, the church was also spared from a fire that destroyed several artworks, church organs, and antiquities. Following the fire, the renovation unearthed several paintings and documents that had been hidden for years.
Construction
The massive edifice is nearly 350 feet long and 200 feet wide, with two 215-foot bell towers. A total of 25 bells are housed in the two bell towers. The building and decorations are a mix of numerous styles, including Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical. Overall, the effect is expansive but somehow harmonized.
The cathedral’s floor plan is shaped like a Latin cross. The church is oriented north-south, with the main entrance on the south side, three entrances, and a gated atrium. The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, to whom this cathedral (and most others in Mexico) is dedicated, is depicted in relief on the main facade.
Must-See Artwork
The Assumption of the Virgin, painted by Juan Correa in 1689, and the Woman of the Apocalypse, painted by Cristobal de Villalpando in 1685, are two of the cathedral’s most stunning artworks. Also noteworthy is the Altar of Kings, which was sculpted by Jerónimo de Balbás in 1718 and features paintings by Juan Rodriguez Juarez.
The basilica’s exterior is a mix of architectural styles. Four identical domes are supported by rows of columns on the inside. The intricate churrigueresque style (named after Spanish architect José Churriguera, who died in 1725) is used to design the five naves and fourteen chapels. Innumerable murals, altarpieces, and statues in full vivid color abound in the cathedral, as they do in most Mexican churches.
The chapel known as the Sagrario, another tour de force of Mexican baroque architecture built in the mid-1700s, is a much older-looking structure next to the cathedral.
Cultural value
The cathedral has long been a symbol of Mexican cultural identity and a reminder of the country’s colonial past. According to researcher Manuel Rivera Cambas, the cathedral was constructed on the Aztecs’ sacred precinct and using the stones of their temples so that the Spaniards could claim the country and the inhabitants. The first stone of the original church was allegedly placed by Hernán Cortés himself.
It was originally a significant religious center, reserved for New Spain’s most powerful families. Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg and Empress Charlotte of Belgium were crowned at the cathedral in 1864. During the Second Mexican Empire, following their majestic arrival at the capital city of their reign. You won’t learn about the Mexican empire then visit the Sun Country Airlines Website and book your ticket to visit Mexico.
On November 18, 2007, sympathizers of the Party of the Democratic Revolution stormed the cathedral, which was probably the most significant recent event. Around 150 protestors stormed the church on Sunday, yelling slogans and knocking pews over. For several days, church officials had to close and lock the cathedral. New security procedures, such as bag searches, were implemented when the church reopened.
