New Cathedral of Cuenca, Roman Catholic cathedral in central Cuenca, Ecuador.
The New Cathedral of Cuenca is a Roman Catholic church in the historic center of Cuenca, Ecuador, recognizable by three blue domes rising above the rooftops of the old town. Inside, tall vaults, marble columns, and many glass windows cast the nave in shifting colors.
Construction started in 1885 under German architect Johannes Bautista Stiehle and took nine decades until completion in 1975. Over this long building period, architects and styles changed several times, giving the church its present appearance.
The name Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception refers to a Catholic doctrine honored here through liturgical celebrations and processions. Visitors often see locals praying before side altars or lighting candles as colored light filters through the windows.
The church opens daily in the morning and afternoon, with a break at midday. Guided tours to the towers are available by arrangement, and visitors should wear sturdy shoes and expect narrow spiral staircases.
Below the central dome lies a crypt with 192 burial vaults originally intended for clergy and benefactors. From the accessible terrace atop the domes, visitors see the entire cityscape, surrounding hills, and the valley of the Tomebamba River.
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