Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian

Cathedral of San Sebastián
Catedral de San Sebastián en Cochabamba
The Cathedral as seen from the Plaza 14 de Septiembre
Map
17°23′40.32″S 66°9′25.7″W / 17.3945333°S 66.157139°W / -17.3945333; -66.157139
LocationCochabamba
CountryBolivia
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
Authorising papal bull1847
Founded1571 (1571)
Administration
ArchdioceseArchdiocese of Cochabamba
Clergy
ArchbishopArchbishop Tito Solari Capellari, S.D.B.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian (Spanish: Catedral Metropolitana San Sebastián) is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Cochabamba. It is located in the Plaza 14 de Septiembre in Cochabamba, Bolivia.[1]

History

The original structure was begun in 1571, atop the foundations of the 14th century Villa de Oropeza,[2] making it the oldest structure in the valley.[3] In 1618, the church administrators agreed to build a bigger church, both to renovate the deteriorating building and to accommodate the increasing populace. The current building was built in 1701 atop the foundation of the previous one.[2][4] Construction was completed in 1735.

In September 2012, the cathedral was declared a National Heritage Site by the Senate of Bolivia.[4]

Architecture

The cathedral's facade is a fusion of Spanish baroque and indigenous Bolivian styles. It has a Renaissance Latin Cross style groundplan. The structure itself is built of stone and adobe masonry, with the domes and vaults made with brick and lime mortar, ornamented with ceramic tiling.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Catedral Metropolitana San Sebastián". GCatholic.org. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Villaroel Villazon, Rocio Gissel. "Metropolitan Cathedral of Cochabamba Conservation and maintenance plan" (PDF). Lund University Housing Development & Management. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  3. ^ "Cochabamba Cathedral". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Catedral Metropolitana de Cochabamba fue declarada Patrimonio Nacional del Estado" (in Spanish). Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional de Bolivia Camara de Senadores. Archived from the original on 17 December 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2013.