Neoclassical Architecture in Mexico - Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Sanctuary of Atotonilco, Palacio de Bellas Artes (Paperback)

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 31. Chapters: Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Sanctuary of Atotonilco, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Ex-monastery of Santiago Apostol, Palacio de Correos de Mexico, San Pedro y San Pablo College, Academy of San Carlos, Nuestra Senora de Loreto Church, Church of San Francisco, Madero Street, Mexico City, Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman, Museo Casa Chihuahua, Historical Museum of the Mexican Revolution. Excerpt: The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary of Mexico City (Spanish: ) is the largest and oldest cathedral in the Americas and seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico. It is situated atop the former Aztec sacred precinct near the Templo Mayor on the northern side of the Plaza de la Constitucion in downtown Mexico City. The cathedral was built in sections from 1573 to 1813 around the original church that was constructed soon after the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan, eventually replacing it entirely. Spanish architect Claudio de Arciniega planned the construction, drawing inspiration from Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The cathedral has four facades which contain portals flanked with columns and statues. The two bell towers contain a total of 25 bells. The tabernacle, adjacent to the cathedral, contains the baptistery and serves to register the parishioners. There are two large, ornate altars, a sacristy, and a choir in the cathedral. Fourteen of the cathedral's sixteen chapels are open to the public. Each chapel is dedicated to a different saint or saints, and each was sponsored by a religious guild. The chapels contain ornate altars, altarpieces, retablos, paintings, furniture and sculptures. The cathedral is home to two of the largest 18th century organs in the Americas. There is a crypt underneath the cathedral that holds the remains of many former archbishops. Over the centuries, the cathedral has suffe...