About Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral
Overlooking Plaza de Mayo, the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral is a religious landmark in the city’s San Nicolas neighbourhood. It was established in the 16th century and rebuilt several times. Its elaborate interior is decorated in the Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque styles.
Admire the Neo-Classical facade inspired by the Palais Bourbon in Paris and the reliefs by French sculptor, Joseph Dubourdieu, which represent Joseph’s reunion with his father Jacob in Egypt. Gaze up at the dome built by Portuguese architect, Manuel Álvarez de Rocha, then explore the cathedral’s interior, which is designed as a Latin cross.
Frescoes depicting Biblical scenes by Italian painter Francesco Paolo Parisi decorate the walls, while the floor is covered with Venetian-style mosaics crafted by Carlo Morra. Other highlights include the Rococo wooden altarpiece and a sculpture titled “Christ of Buenos Aires”, which is believed to have saved the city from flooding in the 18th century.
Getting there
The Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral is located opposite the Cathedral metro station, which is on the city’s Green line, or can be accessed by numerous bus routes that stop outside the entrance. Ezeiza International Airport is 40 minutes’ drive away.