Cathedral of La Plata

Cathedral of La Plata
View of the lateral buttressing
Detail of the ornaments of the main entrance added during the 1998 restoration

Coordinates: 34°55′22.38″S 57°57′22.74″W / 34.9228833°S 57.9563167°W

To be distinguished from the Cathedral of Sucre, Bolivia, formerly La Plata

The Cathedral of La Plata in La Plata, Argentina, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, is the 58th tallest church in the world. This Neogothic edifice is located in the geographical center of the city, facing the central square, Plaza Moreno, and the City Hall.

Inspired by the European cathedrals of Amiens and Cologne, its plans were drawn by architect Ernesto Meyer under the direction of city planner Pedro Benoit. The cornerstone was laid in 1884, and it was consecrated as the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de los Dolores in 1902. The parish church, which continued undergoing works, was designated a cathedral in 1932.

Restoration and completion

View of the altar
View of the ceiling and central cupola

In the 1930s, fearing that the foundation had been underestimated, workers halted construction. The spires were left unfinished and the exterior brick work was left undressed. In the mid 1990s, an ambitious plan of restoration and completion was carried out. The 1990s plan included the following:

Once the bricks were restored, the decision was made to leave them undressed. The building's exposed-brick exterior is thus unusual to some extent, and it makes La Plata Cathedral resemble the brick Gothic style of many churches in northern Europe, such as Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden and Roskilde Cathedral in Denmark. The refurbishment was inaugurated to the public in the year 2000.

With its towers rising 367 feet (112 m), it is among the sixth tallest churches in the Americas.

See also

External links

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