The Metropolitan Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral, which faces Plaza de Mayo, is the principal location of the Catholic Church in Argentina, and it is where Pope Francis, as Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio, used to perform mass before taking office in the Vatican in 2013. In commemoration of Bergoglio, the Cathedral currently houses the Pope Francis Museum, which displays some of his personal and liturgical items.
You might be struck by the building's façade, which seems more like a Greek temple than a Catholic church. The twelve Neo-Classical columns at the front depict the twelve apostles of Christ, and they support a triangle frontispiece. This bas-relief frontispiece represents the meeting of Jacob and his son, Joseph, in Egypt, and was intended as an allegory of the Argentine nation's reconciliation following civil unrest.
The internal decoration of the Cathedral is in neo-Romanesque and neo-Baroque styles, with five naves and a transept topped by a 44-metr4-high vault. Venetian mosaics surround the flooring, which features numerous religious symbols. The cathedral is open every day, however, you must check the mass times because you will not be admitted unless you are attending a service time. Entry is free, but donations are accepted, and you must dress modestly because Argentina is still a Catholic country, and it is customary to cover yourself when entering.
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Opening Hours: Mon to Fri - 7:30 to 18:45, Sat to Sun - 9:00 to 19:00
- Website: https://turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/en/atractivo/metropolitan-cathedral
- Address: San Martín 27, C1004 Buenos Aires, Argentina
