Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

Introduction

History

🏛️ Initial Construction: Began in 1573, around the original church built after the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan.
🗺️ Location: Built on the site of the former Aztec Templo Mayor.
🛠️ Architects: Designed by Claudio de Arciniega, inspired by Gothic cathedrals in Spain.
⏳ Long Construction: Took nearly 250 years to complete, involving multiple generations of architects and artists.
🔥 Fire Damage: Suffered significant interior damage from a fire in 1967, leading to restoration efforts.
🌍 Endangered Status: Added to the World Monuments Fund list of 100 Most Endangered Sites due to structural issues, but later removed after stabilization efforts.

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Architecture

🏛️ Styles: Incorporates Gothic, Plateresque, Baroque, and Neoclassical architectural styles.
📏 Dimensions: Measures 128 meters in length, 59 meters in width, and 67 meters in height.
🪨 Materials: Constructed using Chiluca stone and tezontle.
🕍 Façades: Features four façades with portals flanked by columns and statues.
🔔 Bell Towers: Two bell towers containing 25 bells, with intricate designs and statues.
🏛️ Dome: Central dome with a height of 67 meters.

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Interior

🖼️ Naves: Contains five naves with 51 vaults, 74 arches, and 40 columns.
🎹 Organs: Home to two of the largest 18th-century organs in the Americas.
🕍 Altars: Features five large, ornate altars.
🖼️ Chapels: Fourteen of the cathedral's sixteen chapels are open to the public, each dedicated to different saints.
🖼️ Art: Houses numerous altarpieces, retablos, paintings, and sculptures.
🪦 Crypt: Contains the remains of many former archbishops.

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Bell Towers

🔔 Number of Bells: Contains 25 bells, with 18 in the east tower and 7 in the west tower.
🔔 Largest Bell: Santa Maria de Guadalupe, weighing around 13,000 kilograms.
🔔 Other Major Bells: Doña Maria (6,900 kg) and La Ronca (harsh tone).
🛠️ Architects: Designed by José Damián Ortiz de Castro and completed by Manuel Tolsá.
🕰️ Statues: Features statues of various saints and religious figures.
🕰️ Time Capsule: A time capsule from 1742 was found in the southern bell tower in 2007.

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Significant Events

👑 Coronations: Site of the coronations of Agustin I and Maximilian I as emperors of Mexico.
🪦 Burials: Burial site for several independence heroes, including Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and José María Morelos.
⚔️ Conflicts: Scene of disputes during the Reform laws and the Cristero War.
🎉 Celebrations: Venue for the celebrations of the bicentennial of Mexican independence.
🕰️ Historical Significance: Played a central role in the religious and political history of New Spain and independent Mexico.

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Visitor Information

📍 Location: Northern side of the Plaza de la Constitución (Zócalo), historic center of Mexico City.
🕰️ Opening Hours: Typically open daily, but specific hours may vary.
💵 Admission: Generally free, but donations are appreciated.
📸 Photography: Allowed, but flash photography may be restricted.
🛒 Nearby Attractions: Close to the Templo Mayor and other historic sites in the Zócalo area.
🚇 Transportation: Easily accessible via public transportation, including the Zócalo metro station.

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Travel Information
📞 Phone: +52 55 4165 4052
🌐 Website: https://catedralmetropolitana.mx/
🕒 Hours: See hours
📍 Address: P.za de la Constitución S/N, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
🔗 Profiles:

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