Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

Main category: Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City

The Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is the largest and oldest cathedral in the Americas and seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico. It is situated atop the former Aztec sacred precinct near the Templo Mayor on the northern side of the Zócalo in downtown Mexico City. The cathedral was built in sections from 1573 to 1813 around the original church that was constructed soon after the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlán, eventually replacing it entirely. Spanish architect Claudio de Arciniega planned the construction, drawing inspiration from Gothic cathedrals in Spain.

The Cathedral

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
  Cathedral with decorations in front for Day of the Dead
• 
  Aztec dancers on Zocalo with Cathedral in background
• 
  West side of the Cathedral
• 
  View of Cathedral from the Templo Mayor
• 
  Back of Cathedral as seen from Tacuba Street

Roof and Bell towers

• 
  Portal and bell towers of the Cathedral
• 
  Statues representing Faith, Hope and Charity atop the main portal
• 
  Roof of Cathedral, behind the east bell tower
• 
  Some of the bells of the cathedral
• 
  One of the bells
• 
  Small dome atop the cathedral

Front and west side of Cathedral

• 
  Left-hand side of main portal
• 
  Center of the main portal
• 
  Right-hand side of the main portal
• 
  Courtyard in front of the Cathedral. The glass panels in the floor allow visitors to view Aztec ruins underneath
• 
  Artifacts from recent excavations on display in the cathedral courtyard
• 
  Cross in the front courtyard of the Cathedral, facing the Zocalo
• 
  Statue of Pope John Paul II on cathedral's west side
• 
  Another view of JPII statue

Inside the Cathedral

• 
  Main nave leading to Altar of the Kings
• 
  Altar of the Kings
• 
  Altar of the Kings
• 
  Close up Altar of the Kings
• 
  Altar of Forgiveness
• 
  Close up of Altar of Forgiveness
• 
  Choir with one of the organs
• 
  Choir area
• 
  Close up of one of the organs
• 
  Close up of one of the organs
• 
  The sacristy
• 
  Statue of Saint Charbel with offerings
• 
  Close up of offering to Saint Charbel
• 
  "Señor de cacao" (lit. Our Lord of the cocoa beans) named so for the offerings of cocoa beans in early colonial times
• 
  Chapel of Our Lady of the Agonies of Granada
• 
  Chapel of Nuestra Señora de Soledad
• 
  Close up of Nuestra Señora de Soledad in its chapel
• 
  Chapel of San Felipe de Jesus
• 
  Chapel of Saints Cosme and Damian
• 
  Chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe
• 
  Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
• 
  Close up of image of Immaculate Conception
• 
  Chapel of San Isidro
• 
  Chapel of Nuestro Señor de Buen Despacho
• 
  Image of Señor de Buen Despacho in the chapel
• 
  Chapel of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores
• 
  Chapel of the Archangels
• 
  Chapel of the Christ of the Reliquias or of the Conquistadors
• 
  Close up of the Christ of the Conquistadors
• 
  Chapel of San Pedro
• 
  Chapel of Our Lady of Antigua
• 
  Chapel of San Jose
• 
  Archbishop crypt underneath the cathedral
• 
  Stairs leading to one of the bell towers
• 
  Stairs leading to one of the bell towers

Historic images

• 
  Probably taken at the beginning of the 20th century
• 
  Photo taken in 1900
• 
  Image from 1900
• 
  Taken 1910 with catheral lit with electric lights
• 
  Probably taken at beginning of 20th century

The Tabernacle

• 
  Main portal of the Tabernacle
• 
  Main nave of the Tabernacle
• 
  Main altar area
• 
• 
  west Wing with baptistry
• 
  Image of Nuestra Señora la Antigua