The Cathedral of Córdoba

The Cathedral of Córdoba, one of the most beautiful historical sites in Argentina, is the most important church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Córdoba, Argentina, and the country's oldest continuously operating church.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Asunción, the original church, began construction in 1582. Architect Nicolás de Dios, public works director Gregorio Ferreira, and master mason Juan Rodríguez organized the early works, which utilized largely indigenous artisans and laborers.

The cupola, created by Franciscan Friar Vicente Muñoz, the Spanish Baroque façade, and the Neoclassical portico, all designed by Italian architect Andrea Blanqui in 1729, was also added (who would design a number of other churches in what today is Argentina). Bishop José Antonio de San Alberto consecrated the cathedral in 1784, and the twin campaniles were completed in 1787. The Santa Catalina Promenade separates the cathedral from the Córdoba Cabildo (colonial town hall, inaugurated in 1786).

The cathedral's narthex and surrounding crypts would be the final resting place for a number of notable personalities from Córdoba Province's and national history. General José María Paz, Dean Gregorio Funes, Bishop Hernando de Trejo y Sanabria, and Friar Mamerto Esquiú are only a few of them.

The magnificent interior features a church tabernacle donated to the cathedral in 1804, as well as an impressive collection of silver and gold votive offerings, all of which are overlooked by the sterling silver altar made in Colonial Peru. Emilio Caraffa, Carlos Camilloni, and Manuel Cardeñosa painted frescoes and murals for the interior in the early twentieth century, and a cast-iron monument, Cristo Redentor, was put above the portico in 1901.

Location: Córdoba, Argentina