Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Cathedral at Zócalo square, Mexico City, Mexico
Description
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is a cathedral at Zócalo square in Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City. The structure measures 128 meters in length and rises to a height of 67 meters (220 feet), with walls built from chiluca, cantera, and tezontle stone.
History
The foundation stone was laid in 1573 under architect Claudio de Arciniega, and construction stretched across two centuries. Completion came in 1813 after generations of architects merged Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical elements.
Culture
The name refers to the building's role as the main church of the archdiocese, and the facade carries stone figures of saints. Inside, worshippers place flowers before chapel shrines and light candles while choral song echoes through the vaults.
Practical
The building opens its doors daily, and guided visits provide access to bell towers and the sacristy. Floor subsidence causes slight slopes in aisles, so watch for uneven surfaces underfoot.
Did you know?
The building sinks continuously because of soft subsoil and loses roughly one meter in height each year. Engineers use hydraulic supports to correct the tilt and stabilize the towers.
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Mexico City weaves together Aztec and Spanish colonial history through monuments, museums, and archaeological sites spread across the metropolis. The National Palace displays Diego Rivera's murals depicting Mexican history, while Chapultepec Castle provides views over the sprawling urban landscape....
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