Overview:

Catedral Primada de América, Santo Domingo is one of the oldest churches in the Americas. Built in 1514, construction of the cathedral was completed in 1540, making it the oldest cathedral in the Americas. This magnificent church acts as the seat for the Archbishop of Santo Domingo and displays some of the city's finest religious art. It is also a popular tourist attraction, with its Baroque style, neoclassical design, and sights of the Caribbean and the Dominican Republic from the attached bell tower. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Dominican-Republic
Prominent Features:

1. Gothic Architecture - This cathedral has the unique distinction of being the first cathedral of the Americas. It was built in neo-Gothic style and is adorned with magnificent Gothic spires that add to its beauty. 2. Historical Significance - Santo Domingo Cathedral Primada de America is an important historical monument that symbolizes the birth of Christianity in the Americas. 3. Interior - Inside the cathedral, visitors can find beautiful chandeliers, stained-glass windows, and a large altar more than 27 feet in height. 4. Chapel of Relics - One of the most interesting elements of the church is the Chapel of Relics, where many religious artifacts, statues, and images of saints and other religious figures can be found. 5. Crypts - There is also a crypt which is home to several important Spanish settlers and governors. This national monument of Dominican-Republic portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Catedral Primada de América (Archdiocese of Santo Domingo) is the oldest cathedral in the Americas. It was founded in 1514 and consecrated by Pope Julius III on October 12, 1541. The first church was made of wood and was destroyed after it was damaged by a hurricane. Construction of the new building began in the 1520s and it was completed in 1541. Today, the cathedral is the seat of the Catholic archdiocese of Santo Domingo and a major tourist attraction in the Dominican Republic. The Catedral Primada de América was built in the Renaissance style by architect Francisco Bautista, and it is an important example of colonial Dominican architecture. Inside, there are 17 chapels built between 1541 and 1586, each dedicated to a different saint. The church has been significantly renovated over the years and some of the original paintings and sculptures from the 16th century have been preserved. Outside, the building is set on a plaza, while a bell tower and sacristy stand on either side of the main entrance. The Catedral Primada de América is the burial site of Christopher Columbus. His remains were moved from Havana to Santo Domingo in 1795 and enshrined in the cathedral. It is still a popular pilgrimage site for visitors who come to honor and pay respects to the explorer. You must visit one of these historical places in Dominican-Republic on your Dominican-Republic tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Catedral Primada de América, Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic is the oldest cathedral in the Americas. 2. The cathedral is located in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 3. The convent of the cathedral was founded in 1514, however the construction of the church was completed in 1540. 4. Cardinal Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres, the first bishop of the New World, was appointed in 1546 and consecrated the church in 1548, making it the first operating and consecrated cathedral in the Americas. 5. The baroque-style cathedral suffered damage in 1666, when an earthquake destroyed part of the original building, but was rebuilt and expanded in the 1680s. 6. Inside the church are three naves, which are divided by huge 14th century Tuscan-style columns. 7. The architecture is mainly baroque, with some Gothic elements, and the main altarpiece is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 8. The convent is the home to the oldest library in the Americas. It housed some of the oldest books and documents imported from Europe. 9. The convent was used as a sanctuary by priests and the church was taken over by the state during the French occupation in 1801. It was returned to the Catholic church in 1839. 10. The cathedral is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics and is home to numerous relics, including a piece of the wood from the True Cross. Visit one of the famous monuments of Dominican-Republic with your friends and family.