аÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the oldest and largest cathedrals in Latin America. The whole history of the Cathedral is fascinating and worth knowing it. The construction of the building took over 200 years before it was completed and it incorporates ancient and modern methods of designing.

The Cathedral is one of the tourist destinations in Mexico City and is worth visiting. In this article, we have showcased 10 fascinating facts about Metropolitan Cathedral, join us as we take you through the interesting history of the cathedral as well as its amazing architecture among others.

Here are the 10 fascinating facts about Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral;

1. The Metropolitan Cathedral has a Crypt that Contains the Remains of Several Important Mexican Figures

The cathedral has a crypt which is situated underneath the altar of the kings. It was built back in the 17^th century.

The chamber is big and contains the remains of over 300 people including the remains of several archbishops of Mexico City. Coffins of the deceased are lined on the wall of the crypt.

Apart from the crypt being a chamber of the deceased is as well the home to several paintings and sculptures.

2. It is the as well the Largest Cathedral in the Americas

, , via Wikimedia Commons

One of the fascinating facts about Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is that, despite being the oldest, is as well the largest cathedral we have in all of Latin America.

 The church is estimated to have a length of 128 meters, a width of 59 meters, and a height of 67 meters tall.

3. The Metropolitan Cathedral Survived Hash Weather for Centuries

As we all know, the cathedral in Mexico City took many generations to be accomplished. It was constructed into sections and over 200 years was taken to its completion. Throughout the period, the cathedral survived devastating times. It is interesting to know that the cathedral survived harsh weather and earthquakes for centuries.

For instants, in 1967, when the cathedral building was still under construction, there was a fire but the cathedral was not damaged only some parts of the cathedral’s interior were destroyed. However, after the fire, many treasures, ornaments, and valuable documents were recovered.

4. Metropolitan Cathedral is a Famous Tourist destination

Image by from

It is fascinating to know that the Mexico City cathedral is one of the most famous tourist destinations we have in Mexico. Millions of tourists visit the cathedral from across the world annually.

The interesting part is that you pay absolutely nothing to enter the Metropolitan Cathedral as a tourist. It is open from 9 am to 5.30 pm every day of the week.

5. Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City Took More than 200 Years to be Constructed

The Cathedral Church was built in phases and took more than 200 years to be completed. Claudio de Arciniega, a Spanish architect planned the design, and the drawing was inspired by Gothic architecture.

The construction began back in 1573 and it was completed in 1813. Due to the long construction period taken, it led to mixing number of architectural styles even if it was initially made to be inspired by Gothic architecture. Some of the architectural styles integrated include Neoclassical, Churrigueresque, Gothic, and Baroque.

The building of this church involved several architects such as Claudio de Arciniega, Juan Gómez de Trasmonte, José Eduardo de Herrera, José Damián Ortiz de Castro, and Manuel Tolsá among others.

6. Metropolitan Cathedral has a Fascinating Two Bell Tower

, , via Wikimedia Commons

It is impossible for one to visit the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral and fail to fall in love with the amazing bells. These bells make the place look amazing and beautiful at large. The cathedral has two big bell towers housing a total number of twenty-five bells.

One of the towers named the eastern bell tower carries a total of eighteen bells while the other tower, the western bell tower accommodates seven bells.

The bells have different sizes, some are small while others are big size. Santa Maria de Guadalupe is the largest bell of all weighing 13,000 kilograms while the second largest bell is known as Dona Maria weighing 7,000 kilograms.

7. The Sixteen Chapels Situated in the Cathedral Gives Unique Features

Metropolitan Cathedral has amazing architecture. The chapels located here are among the many unique features of the cathedral. In total, there are sixteen chapels situated here they were all built at different times.

However, only fourteen are open to the public, anybody can visit and tour them any day. The other two a yet to be opened to the public. The sixteen chapels were specifically dedicated to a certain saint and are all named after them.

8. It is Free to Enter the Metropolitan Cathedral

, , via Wikimedia Commons

As we all know, in most famous places one has to pay an entrance fee before accessing the location. However, the Metropolitan Cathedral is the opposite, no entry fee is required. The fact that tourists can tour the place for free makes it one of the fascinating facts.

To all visitors planning to visit the location, it is good to note the cathedral opens from Monday to Sunday from 9 am and closes at 5.30 pm.

9. Metropolitan Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

One of the fascinating facts about the cathedral is that, it is one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites in Mexico City. In Mexico, there are 16 World Heritage Sites, the Metropolitan Cathedral being one of them.

Back in 1987, is when the Cathedral was made a World Heritage Site due to its outstanding universal value. It as well acts as the Spanish conquest of Mexico.

10. It is a Popular Place for Weddings and Other Religious Ceremonies

Despite the cathedral being a famous tourist destination is as well a popular wedding place and other religious ceremonies. It is one of the best places for one to have a wedding because of its beautiful architecture and the fact that it is a catholic cathedral.

The first-ever wedding to be recorded in a metropolitan cathedral was back in 1573 not long after its completion. Today, more than thousands of weddings have taken place at the cathedral.

Another reason why many people consider the destination is that it can accommodate a large crowd of people and several religious artifacts are situated here such as the main altar.