Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

The Cathedral of Mexico City ( Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de María de la Ciudad de México ) is the largest and oldest cathedral in the Americas and seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Mexico. It stands on the north side of the Plaza de la Constitución in Mexico City. The cathedral bears the patronal feast of the Assumption of Mary.

History

The church was built from 1573 to the southwest of the Aztec temple area to plans by the Spanish architect Claudio de Arciniega, whose plans were inspired by the Gothic cathedrals of Spain. Other important architects were Juan Gómez de Mora and Alonso Pérez de Castaneda.

The consecration of the church took place in 1667. The two bell towers of architect José Damián Ortiz de Castro, who wear 25 bells today were completed in 1793. The construction was completed in 1813 with the dome.

The church was static severely threatened by the subsidence of the city and was stabilized in the 1990s with the help of a tunnel network under the cathedral.

Description

The church has. Than inside dimensions a length of 118 m, a width of 54 m and a height of 55 m Due to its long construction period, he received influences of the Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical.

Inside the richly carved Altar de los Reyes ( Altar of the Kings). The facade of Tezontle, a reddish volcanic rock, is interrupted by three portals.

Organs

In the cathedral there are two organs.

The organ on the epistle is from the year 1695th The instrument has 64 registers on three manual works (the two " Caderetas " are playable by a manual off) and pedal. 26 registers are full register, register 38 are applied as either bass or treble as registers.

The organ on the Gospel side is from the year 1735. The instrument consists of two positive - works ( " Caderetas "), which are from 1 Manual of playable, the main and pedal work, and an additional solo work for the right hand, the is from 1 Manual of playable.