Mexico city’s Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven is not only one of Mexico’s most treasured architectural masterpieces, it is also Latin America’s largest and oldest cathedral. This Cathedral’s creation spans three centuries, from 1573-1813 resulted in architectural amalgamation of the three distinct styles which dominated during the lengthy process of its construction; Baroque, Neo-Classic and Neo-Renaissance. Prompted in 1544 by a need to replace the original church that formerly occupied the site following the conquest of Aztec hub Teotihuacan. . The cathedral – much like the rest of Mexico City – gradually sinks year after year into the shifting lake upon which it was built.
The cathedral, which now houses the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico, was actually designed by Spaniards and inspired by Gothic architecture. . However, the impressive bell towers are of Xalapan design and house a total of twenty-five bells. The largest of these, Santa Maria de Guadalupe, weighs in at 13,000 kgs. Yet the external architecture is by no means the biggest draw of this popular cathedral, as the internal offerings are just as magnificent. Numerous works of art, religious relics and crypts adorn every orifice, including in the sixteen chapels. Gold coats every surface and towering ceilings add to the grandeur of the Altars of Forgiveness and of the Kings.
