Few sites treasure a history as valuable as the Primatial Cathedral of America. Considered the oldest church on the American continent, it conserved the remains of Christopher Columbus inside for 300 years, and today it is the heart of the city of Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic.
But is it worth knowing this church marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Of course it is.
Construction of the Primatial Cathedral of America
The Holy Cathedral Basilica Metropolitana of Our Lady Saint Mary of the Incarnation or Annunciation was founded in 1504 by order of Fray García Padilla, the first bishop of Santo Domingo.
Its construction took 30 years to complete, and it suffered from various changes with respect to the original idea:
- Today it is composed of 14 chapels, although in the original plans it did not have any.
- The bell tower had to stop its construction for decades, as its height caused disturbances among the sentinels.
- On the roof of the cathedral, you can also see a cannonball embedded that, it is speculated, was launched during the Reconquest War in 1808.
Additionally, during the English invasion in 1586, Sir Francis Drake converted the cathedral into his headquarters. This is why the cathedral has become a symbol of resilience for the Dominican Republic.
What to see today in the Primatial Cathedral of America?
The cathedral has a height of 16 meters, 23 meters in width and 54 meters in length, and inside you can appreciate an organ taken to Magdeburg in 1860, as well as works of art such as the panel of the Virgin of Altagracia.
In 2024, the cathedral was the venue for the 500th anniversary of the death of Bishop Resident Alessandro Geraldini, and it continues to be the venue for open masses for the general public.
It has the capacity to accommodate up to 1,000 faithful and sees hundreds of visitors a day, and you can even reserve and get married in the Primatial Cathedral of America for around $800.
If you are interested in reaching the Cathedral, it is open to the public (totally free) from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm. It is located in front of the Columbus Park in the Colonial Zone.
