Cathedral of Maldonado, Cathedral in Pinares - Las Delicias, Uruguay.
The Cathedral of Saint Ferdinand is a Neoclassical building whose construction began in 1801. It has a main nave with two bell towers and a central dome, and two small buildings at the sides and rear of the nave complete a cross-shaped plan. The High Altar is the work of Antonio Veiga.
A first church stood here in Spanish colonial times; the Neoclassical building was begun in 1801, and the English Invasions of 1806 halted the works. The Archbishop of Montevideo, Mariano Soler, inaugurated it in 1895, 94 years after the start. In 1966 Paul VI made it the seat of the Diocese of Maldonado-Punta del Este, and in 2020 it kept that rank when the diocese merged with Minas.
The High Altar inside was crafted by Antonio Veiga and shows skilled handwork that visitors can see directly. This altar reflects the religious importance the place held for the local community.
The building sits in a residential area and is reachable on foot with clear pathways to the entrance. Visitors should wear appropriate clothing since it is an active place of worship.
A polychrome sculpture of Christ stands near the altar and was mysteriously discovered packed in a drawer on the shore. The origin of this statue remains unknown to this day and fascinates visitors with its puzzling past.
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