Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, Catholic cathedral in Historic Downtown, St. Augustine, United States.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is a Catholic cathedral in historic downtown St. Augustine, built from coquina stone with curving bell gables and clay roof tiles. The structure stands on Plaza de la Constitucion and shows the architecture typical of Spanish missions with thick stone walls and a spacious interior.
The building was constructed between 1793 and 1797 after several earlier churches on this site were destroyed by fires. The parish is considered the oldest Catholic parish in the United States and has been renovated and expanded multiple times over the years.
The altar holds six church relics, while murals from 1965 show biblical scenes in bright colors. Colored glass windows cast light through the nave on sunny days and create a quiet setting for prayer and reflection.
The cathedral opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 17:00 and offers daily mass at 7:00. Guided tours take place during opening hours and last about 30 minutes.
Three original coquina walls from 1797 are about 60 cm (24 inches) thick and combine native building techniques with later concrete elements. The construction uses fossilized seashells, a material commonly used in the region and known for its resistance to weather.
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