La Asunción Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in La Asunción, Venezuela.
La Asunción Cathedral is a stone church in the center of La Asunción, the capital of Nueva Esparta state, on Margarita Island. The facade has two towers and the interior is divided into three naves by Tuscan columns, with thick walls that give the building a solid, compact feel.
The church was completed in 1571, making it the oldest cathedral in the country. After a French raid damaged it, the building was reconstructed in 1621 and largely took on the form it has today.
The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, a dedication that shapes the name of the town itself. On feast days, people from across the region gather on the two squares in front of the building to take part in outdoor celebrations.
The building sits between Independence and Cedeño streets in the town center, facing two public squares, so it is easy to find on foot. Since the interior is an active place of worship, it is worth checking whether a service is taking place before entering.
The left tower was built in 1599, more than 20 years before the rest of the building was reconstructed, making it one of the oldest surviving bell towers in the country. It still stands in its original form, which means it is actually older than most of what surrounds it today.
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