Cartagena Cathedral, Colombia
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The Cathedral of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, officially the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (Spanish: Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santa Catalina de Alejandría), is located in the historic centre of Cartagena. It is the episcopal see of the Archbishop of Cartagena de Indias, one of the oldest episcopal sees in the Americas. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
This article may be a rough translation from Spanish. It may have been generated, in whole or in part, by a computer or by a translator without dual proficiency. (September 2022) |
The Cartagena de Indias Cathedral was built between 1577 and 1612,[1] replacing a modest church made of wood and reeds. The original structure of the cathedral has been preserved today almost unchanged. The cathedral was designed by master builder Simón González, modelled after basilicas in Andalusia and the Canary Islands.[2] Later, in 1908, the tower and dome of the cathedral were refurbished by French architect Gaston Lelarge. However, the balconies, the main portal and cornices are original from the colonial era. In 1586, while the church was still under construction, it was attacked by the English privateer Francis Drake, which caused severe damage and delayed its completion.
Both the Carrara marble pulpit, the valuable procedural custody, the marble pavement of the cathedral and the elegant arcades sustaining the central nave, are due to the prelate Fray José Díaz de Lamadrid, who governed the Cartagena see from 1778 to 1792.[3]