Overview:

: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace (Spanish: Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Paz) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Cochabamba. It is located on the principal plaza of the city, Plaza 14 de Septiembre, and was designed by architect Mariano Rebollar in Baroque style. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Cochabamba and Bolivia. The cathedral was declared a national monument in 1988. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Bolivia
Prominent Features:

1. Neoclassical façade: The Cochabamba Cathedral features a prominent neoclassical façade with a large portico with four Ionic columns. 2. Central dome: The most striking feature of the cathedral is the large central dome. The dome is painted an off-white color and decorated with a motif of the Star of Bethlehem. 3. Stained glass windows: The Cochabamba Cathedral has beautiful stained glass windows that depict Biblical themes. 4. Bell tower: The bell tower of the cathedral stands at 75 meters tall and is topped by a large cross. 5. Statue of Christ: In front of the cathedral stands a statue of Christ that is 8 meters tall. The statue was erected in 1943. This national monument of Bolivia portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Cochabamba Cathedral, or Catedral Basílica Corazón de Jesús de Cochabamba, is the main Catholic church in the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia. It was dedicated to Jesus Christ and his Sacred Heart on June 17th 1925 by Archbishop Segundo Ríos Cornejo and is a fine example of Spanish Baroque architecture. It was built over a period of almost 100 years beginning in the 16th century, and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cochabamba. The original chapel was built in 1539 by bishop Santos de Carranza, who laid the first stone on December 8th, 1539. The stone-by-stone construction of the church took place over a long period of time, and at times progress was largely hindered by the lack of economic resources. The church as it stands today is the result of many reconstructions, renovations and additions that took place throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The new facade was erected in 1745 by a French architect, Don Joseph Victor Cristan Marbou. He also designed the main altar, which was finished in 1747. The bell tower was added between 1760 and 1762, and the five altars at the side of the main church were completed in the mid-1800s. Many of the statues and decorative elements date from the late 19th century. The Cochabamba Cathedral remains today a great example of colonial architecture, offering visitors an outstanding view of the city and its surroundings. It is a symbol of the faith of the Bolivian people and a major tourist attraction in the area. You must visit one of these historical places in Bolivia on your Bolivia tour

Interesting facts:

1. Cochabamba Cathedral was built in 1574 and is the oldest church in Bolivia. 2. It is one of the main attractions in Cochabamba and the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Cochabamba. 3. The Cathedral is home to one of the most important relics in Bolivia, the Cross of Carvajal, which was brought over from Spain during the colonial period. 4. It features neo-Gothic and Moorish architecture and is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Cochabamba. 5. The main entrance is decorated with a large rose window and sculptures of the 12 apostles. 6. The main altar is made of marble and shows the Virgin of La Merced, the patron of Cochabamba. 7. The Cathedral also features a crypt which holds the remains of six bishops and several important figures from Bolivia’s history. 8. It is a World Heritage Site of Bolivia and is the most important religious monument of the city. Visit one of the famous monuments of Bolivia with your friends and family.