The Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría in Cartagena de Indias, is located in the heart of the historic center of the walled city, adjacent to the Proclamation Square and with him Bolivar Park.
History of the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Alexandria
The Cathedral of Cartagena is considered one of the oldest cathedrals in America, beginning its life as a modest chapel of wood and straw, which was engulfed in flames due to a fire that engulfed the city in its first years of life, officially The construction of the current cathedral began in 1577, this being the third cathedral construction in the city, since, as I mentioned before, the first two were made of straw and wood, but a physical remnant of the second, which was built of wood and straw, is still preserved. , its design was carried out by the architect Simon Gonzales which took as inspiration some churches in Andalusia, marking it with a Herreriano style.
The Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is perhaps one of the churches that had the most problems in being completed, since it suffered from interventions to change its position, collapses and attacks by pirates, so long and rocky was the construction of this temple that the bishop Fray de Montalvo whoever made an effort to complete this work died of moral pain when he saw the cathedral demolished by the pirate drake, although it must be said that the pirates had a bit of bad faith towards the Cartagena churches, because this was not the only one they attacked.
After many years of efforts it was brought to a successful conclusion, but years later part of its architectural value was once again going to be affected, first by the abandonment in which it was left after the independence struggles, then the termites took it as a his house and had a party, and then several bishops got involved and tried to give it more European touches, affecting part of the carved wood works which were original from the colonial artistic work of Cartagena, in short, he lost a lot but it must be said that he also gained, One of those things that won was the ostentatious tower and dome that was added, designed and built by the French Gaston LelargeIn addition to those beautiful marble sculptures that pave the sides of the main door, years later a new bishop came and uncovered the damage done by the others and returned many of the details that he lost, although some were irreparable.
Where is the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Alexandria located?
The cathedral is located in the historic center of the city, on Calle de los Santos de Piedra, Cra. 4, adjacent to the Plaza de la Proclamation.
The history and beauty of this ancient cathedral continue to be imposed without a doubt on the Cartagena soils, revealing its colonial air between marble and limestone, before the eyes of others it is dressed in old customs, history, color and it brings out the soul. a sigh proving that it is still one of the great cathedrals of the new world.
