Santiago de Cuba Cathedral
Visit the smart Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Cathedral and be amazed by the beauty of the detail in Santiago de Cuba.
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Cathedral
© Steve Daniel
The Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Cathedral stays from the early 20th century in the same place where other temples stood before since the 16th century. However, the repeated assaults of the pirates, the weather and the earthquakes destroyed the previous buildings.
The first built church in 1528, was oriented from east to west and surrounded by some houses. It was sacked by pirates and corsairs a few times during the 16th century and repaired in the 17th century. However, in 1662 the church was sacked again and burnt by pirate Henry Morgan. As the damages were too important, a new one was raised in the same place, but it suffered the same problems with the important hurricanes and earthquakes during the rest of the 17th century. The third cathedral collapsed as well due to an earthquake on the 11th of June, 1766, leaving its place to the fourth and last temple still in operation.
The new cathedral was oriented from North to South and was constituted by five halls in a surface of 2,115 m2 as a whole. In 1852, an earthquake destroyed the lateral halls, the half orange roof and the towers, but all the damages were repaired and, in 1874, the clock was placed in the highest place of the city.
See the two Neoclassic towers located to both sides of the facade and the magnificent archangel with his open wings and the trumpets.
Inside, you can see the famous Cruz de la Parra, that is thought to be the only material evidence of Cristobal Columbus arriving to the island. Besides, you will see the beautiful frescos that decorate the church and a handy carved choir stall. The High Altar is dedicated to the Virgin of the Charity, and the whole place is well illuminated when the doors are open during every religious service.
You can visit too the Archdiocesan Museum located next to the cathedral and see the valuable objects that are exhibited there. You can also reach the Museum of the Historical Cuban Atmosphere just crossing the Céspedes Park.
More information:
Location:
Calle Heredia Street, Santiago de Cuba.
Interactive map:
Santiago de Cuba
What to see:
- Céspedes Park
- Calle Heredia Street
- Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Cathedral
- Velázquez Balcony
- Casa de la Trova
- Model of the City
- Plaza de Dolores Square
- Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores Church
- Plaza de Marte Square
- Provincial Government Palace
- Tívoli
- Escalinata Padre Pico Highway
- Cuartel Moncada Headquarters
- Plaza de la Revolución
- Pioneers’ Palace
- La Gran Piedra
- Cumbre La Gran Piedra Summit
- Cafetal La Isabelica Coffee Plantation
- Parque Baconao
- Baconao Aquarium
- Baconao Lagoon
- Granma Cay
- Siboney
- El Cobre
- Nuestra Señora del Cobre Basilica
- Chivirico and its Vicinity
- Pico Turquino Peak Area
- Pico Turquino
Beaches:
Museums:
- Museum of Historical Cuban Atmosphere
- Archdiocesan Museum
- Municipal Museum Emilio Bacardí Moreau
- El Carnaval Museum
- Rum Museum
- Clandestine Fight Museum
- Casa-Natal de Antonio Maceo Birth House Museum
- Abel Santamaría Historic Park
- San Juan Historic Park and the Peace Tree
- Cemetery of Santa Ifigenia
- Castle of San Pedro de la Roca del Morro
- Granjita Siboney Museum
- Spanish-Cuban-American War Museum
- Prehistory Valley
- Monument to Cimarrón
Other nearby destinations:
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