Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral

Contents

The Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral (Spanish: Catedral Metropolitana de Montevideo) is the main Roman Catholic church of Montevideo, and seat of its archdiocese. It is located right in front of the Cabildo across Constitution Square, in the neighbourhood of Ciudad Vieja.

History

The origin of the church dates from Spanish colonial times (1740), when a church constructed of brick was built on the site.[1] In 1790, the foundation was laid for the construction of the current neoclassical structure. The church was consecrated in 1804; it is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and to the patron saints of Montevideo, Philip and James.[2]

There is one major altar, several side altars, memorials, and tombs of several of the former archbishops and bishops who served in the cathedral. On a side altar is venerated an image of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three, patron saint of Uruguay.[3]

In Culture

According to the Spanish guitarist Anabel Montesinos, the cathedral was the inspiration behind the piece La Catedral by Agustín Barrios.[4]

References

  1. 1."Historia". www.escueladeartesyartesanias.edu.uy. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  2. 2."Iglesia Católica Montevideo". icm.org.uy (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  3. 3.Cárdiff, Guillermo Fúrlong (1934). La catedral de Montevideo (1724-1930) (in Spanish). Imprenta "El Siglo ilustrado".
  4. 4.Les Borges TV (2025-03-17). XIII Garriguitar: ANABEL MONTESINOS. Retrieved 2026-07-17 – via YouTube.