Cathedral The Blessed Virgin Mary in Santo Domingo is a Catholic Cathedral with a title of small basilica, dedicated to the Virgin Mary of a Congority or Bearing. Located in the old (colonial) city of Santo Domingo, between the streets of Arzobispo Meriño and Isabela La Católica, next to the Colón Park.

The construction of this oldest Cathedral of America, also known as Catedral Primada de América, began in 1512, shortly after the creation of the Pope Julia II of the Santo-Domingo archoconde, but the active phase of construction falls at 1521-1537. The main works were conducted under the leadership of the Seville architect Louis De Moya, who had time to build the gothic basis of the building. In 1529, after the completion of the construction of the arches, Rodrigo Gila de Liendero becomes the chief architect. Architects Alonso Gonzalez and Alonso de Fuenmayor completed the construction of the cathedral, somewhat recycling it in a renaissance style. Finally, on August 31, 1541, a solemn consecration of the new basilica took place. 5 years later, Pavel III is building a basilica in the rank of the Cathedral and the Chief Cathedral of America.

The Cathedral Building is a three-end base of a cold type without a transmittant, a long 54 m with a total width of three naves 23 m. Round columns support ribbed vaults, reaching the height of 16 meters. A total of 14 chaplains built in subsequent epochs are adjacent to side neopams. Basilica is built mainly from limestone blocks, but also there is a brickwork. The interior of the cathedral, aged in the traditions of late Gothic and the early Placess, contrasts with the main portal built in the 1530s in the Renaissance style.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria La Menor, also known as the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic is the oldest cathedral in the new world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to some versions, the remains of Christopher Columbus are resting in the cathedral, the monument to which is installed on the square in front of the cathedral. For other versions of the dust, Columbus was moved to the Seville Cathedral in Spain, or remained in Faro Columbus (Columbus Lighthouse) - a peculiar mausoleum of the Great Maritime. Included in the UNESCO list.

The construction of the Cathedral in Santo Domingo began with the blessing of the Roman Pope Julia III (given in 1504) in 1512 under the leadership of Bishop Frey García Padilla on the project of the Spanish architect Alonso Rodriguez from Seville. The temple was consecrated in 1541. Five years later, at the request of the King of Spain Karl V, Pavel Paval III gave the cathedral of the Cathedral status and commanded to be a residence of Primate both Americas (the title that was Catholic Bishop Santo Domingo). The famous Pirate Francis Drake, who captured the city in 1586 spared the Cathedral (despite the fact that he was a protestant and the fatal enemy of Catholics) and made him his headquarters.

In 1920, Pope Benedict XV assigned the cathedral of small basilica.

Cathedral of Santa Maria La Menor, lined with golden coral limestone, combines elements of Gothic and Baroque. Cross-duct ceilings rise to a height of 16 meters, the length of the basilica is 24 meters, the total area of \u200b\u200bthe Basilica is 3000 sq. Meters.

In the inner interior noticeably manifestation of the style of a planssic, fashionable in the Spanish culture of the XVI century. It is especially brightly expressed in the decoration of the silver altar. The ancient treasury of the Cathedral stores rich collections of unique wooden statues of the XVI century, medieval furniture, old jewelry and silverware. There are also a number of old objects that have been used by archbishops in religious ceremonies over the centuries.

Next to the main building are the chapels that were completed later. In the courtyard of the complex there is a tombstone of Simon Bolivar (this is not a famous liberator, but one of his ancestors and a full shaking). At the end of the XIX century, the remains were also found on the territory of the complex, according to the Fathers - Dominicans owned by Columbus. Later, the ashes moved to Faro Colon, where a memorable plate was installed, although the DNA analysis conducted by scientists did not confirm their belonging to Columbus.

Photo of the Cathedral of Santa Maria La Minor:

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Interior of the cathedral:

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Santa Maria La Menor Cathedral, also known as Santo Domingo Cathedral - this is the oldest cathedral in South Americadedicated to the Most Holy Virgin Mary. According to some versions, the remains of Christopher Columbus are resting in the cathedral, the monument to which is installed on the square in front of the cathedral (according to other versions of the dust Columbus was transferred to, or remained B). Included in the UNESCO list.

Myths and Facts

Construction of the Cathedral in Santo Domingo began in 1512 under the leadership of Bishop Fry Garcia Padilla on the project of the Spanish architect Alonso Rodriguez from Seville. The temple was consecrated by the Pope Julia in 1541. Five years later, at the request of the King of Spain Karl V, Pavel III received the status of Metropolitan and Primate. The Cathedral in Santo Domingo was the headquarters of Archbishop. In 1920, Papa Benedict XV assigned the Cathedral of the Basilica status.

What to see

Cathedral of Santa Maria La Menor, lined with golden coral limestone, combines elements of Gothic and Baroque. Cross-duct ceilings rise to a height of 16 m, the total area of \u200b\u200bthe Basilica is 3000 sq.m.

In the inner interior noticeably manifestation of the style of a planssic, fashionable in the Spanish culture of the XVI century. It is especially brightly expressed in the decoration of the silver altar. The ancient treasury of the Cathedral stores rich collections of unique wooden statues of the XVI century, medieval furniture, old jewelry and silverware. There are also a number of old objects that have been used by archbishops in religious ceremonies over the centuries.

Next to the main building are the chapels that were completed later. In the courtyard of the complex there is a tombstone of Simon Bolivar. At the end of the XIX century, the remains, according to the Dominicans belonging to Columbus, were also found on the territory of the complex. Later, the ashes were transferred to where a memorable plate was installed, although DNA analysis conducted by scientists did not confirm their affiliation.

In 200 m, another famous landmark is located to the east of the cathedral. In Santo Domingo, the Royal Palace is also the oldest in America -

Santo Domingo Cathedral is also known as the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Santa Maria La Menor Cathedral - Catholic Cathedral in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary - the patroness of America. Cathedral of the archo Party Santo Domingo, headed by Cardinal Nicholas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez. The cathedral has the honorary status of "small basilica" and is the oldest cathedral in America.

The construction of this first of the Catholic churches of the new light was started in 1514. The first stone laid the Diego Columbus itself, but the construction did not start, as the architect arrived at the island changed his mind and sailed to Mexico, where he began working on another cathedral. As a result, the first American temple appeared in Santo Domingo only after a quarter of a century. The construction leadership, which lasted for 30 years (up to 1544), was entrusted to Bishop Garcia Padilla. But a luxurious building stood with altars, chapels and statues of evangelists for a long time: the church was surrounded by English Pirate Francis Drake. Since he was a Protestant and hated Catholics, he decided to plunder and desecrate the cathedral. After that, the building had to be renewed again. The status of the Cathedral of the Cathedral was greeted by the Emperor Charles V in 1546 by the Cathedral of the Cathedral of the Cathedral.

The temple building is quite spacious, its total area is about three thousand square meters. Its width is 23 meters, the length is 54 meters, and the height of the walls to the vaulted ceilings is 16 meters. During the construction of the cathedral, golden coral limestone was used, which is mined in local quarries. The architectural appearance of the temple is a mixture of Gothic and Baroque with a strong influence of the planssic, the characteristic elements of which are most clearly noted in the design of the 1540 altar silver. In the treasury of the cathedral, rich collections of carved wooden statues, furniture, jewelry, silverware are stored.

On the square next door to the cathedral, the original monument to Christopher Columbus. According to some historical research, the ashes of this great discoverer and traveler was buried next to the church's chief altar.

In 1990, as part of the colonial city of Santo Domingo, the cathedral was included in the list World Heritage UNESCO. Mass here serve to this day.

Cathedral dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Santo Domingo is the former capital of the new world, it was for this reason that the first Catholic church decided to erect here. Construction began in 1514, the work was difficult and dragged into almost a quarter of a century and finished his work in 1540. But the luxurious temple was long stood, the English pirate who hated Catholics, decided to desecrate and plunder the temple. After this incident, the temple hardly had to build first.

The Square of the Cathedral stretches for 3,000 square meters. Dome of 16 meters high. The construction is made of 3 nevertal, the length of the central neopa is 54 meters, it is surrounded by 14 side niches.
Initially, the construction of an ordinary, no distinguished temple was planned, but the arrival of Bishop Alejandro Heraldini significantly affected the development of further construction. In 1521, they decided to build an impressive scale and luxurious Cathedral of Santo Domingo. The historic history of the city is kept in the archives of the cathedral.

Cathedral of Santo Domingo combines two styles of the architecture of Gothic and Baroque. Special attention was paid to the decoration of the altar, which was decorated with silver. The temple stores a rich collection of furniture, utensils from silver, wooden cutting statues and antique furniture. Santo Domingo Cathedral has three outputs, the door that goes outside the archbishop Merino street is a front door. Front facade over the gate decorate the busts of the apostles of St. Peter and St. Paul's embossed coat of arms of Charles V. The third output is the name of the gate of forgiveness, which go to main Square cities. Attracting inquisitive tourists.