Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

Lore & Background

The cathedral was built in sections from 1573 to 1813 around the original church constructed soon after the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan, eventually replacing it entirely. Spanish architect Claudio de Arciniega planned the construction, drawing inspiration from Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The long construction time led to the integration of Gothic, Baroque, Churrigueresque, and Neoclassical styles as they came into vogue, and allowed virtually all the main architects, painters, sculptors, and other plastic artists of the viceroyalty to work on it at some point. The project was a point of social cohesion, involving ecclesiastical authorities, government authorities, and different religious orders.

Reader's Guide

The Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral stands as a central symbol of the Catholic Church's influence in New Spain and independent Mexico. Its construction over nearly 250 years reflects the evolving architectural tastes and social dynamics of the viceroyalty, with contributions from generations of artists and craftsmen. The cathedral was the scene of historically significant events, including the coronations of Agustín I and Maximilian I, and the burial of independence heroes such as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and José María Morelos until 1925. It also witnessed disputes during the Reform and the Cristero War. The building's structural integrity has been threatened by the soft clay soil and dropping water tables, leading to its inclusion on the World Monuments Fund list of the 100 Most Endangered Sites; restoration work beginning in the 1990s stabilized it, and it was removed from the list in 2000. A fire in 1967 damaged the interior, but restoration uncovered important documents and artwork. The cathedral contains two of the largest 18th-century organs in the Americas and a crypt holding remains of many former archbishops.

Did You Know?

• The cathedral was built on the site of the former Aztec Templo Mayor, using stones from the destroyed temple of the god Huītzilōpōchtli.
• Its construction took just under 250 years, from 1573 to 1813.
• A fire in 1967 damaged a significant part of the interior, leading to the discovery of hidden documents and artwork.
• The cathedral was added to the World Monuments Watch due to sinking from soft clay soil and dropping water tables, but was removed in 2000 after restoration.