The church glows with its pink-colored cantera stone, a volcanic rock from various regions in Mexico and Central America. According to locals, the façade’s color changes during the day. One of the two towers further from the white dome supports a bell made from the jewels and coins of Zacatecan followers. Svetlana Bykova/Shutterstock
The Zacatecas Cathedral, located in Zacatecas in the north-central Mexican state of the same name, is a masterpiece of Spanish Baroque architecture.
In the 18th century, this historic town prospered because of its rich deposits of silver. To celebrate their good fortune, miners built the Catedral Basílica de Zacatecas between 1729 and 1760, replacing two existing structures. Also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption of Zacatecas, the Catholic church was only fully completed and consecrated in 1841.
The cathedral dominates the center of Zacatecas and stands apart from other Mexican churches for its Churrigueresque, or Ultra Baroque, architecture from when Mexico was known as New Spain. This architectural style refers to a Spanish baroque design popular in both Spain and Latin America in the 18th century and characterized by elaborate sculptural elements, carved lacework, and Corinthian columns.
This style is especially noticeable in the building’s baroque exterior. The cathedral’s main façade is covered with elaborate and intricate details on pink stone, combining European and indigenous decorative elements such as angels and various plants.
However, the church’s interior greatly contrasts with its ornate exterior, where the somber Neoclassical style replaced the extravagant baroque style. Inside, the Doric style prevails with stone side altars and large columns. The church is laid out as a Latin cross, with two side naves, and features a gilded altar and detailed sculptures.
The main façade of the Zacatecas Cathedral, completed in 1745, is one of the best examples of Churrigueresque architecture in Mexico. Ornamented with Corinthian columns with lace-like details, the three-tiered façade holds various religious figures, most notably sculptures of the 12 apostles at the sides. Jvitela/CC BY-SA 4.0
The second level of the middle section of the church’s main façade houses the choir window, framed by intricate plant motifs and stone carvings of the apostles James, Peter, Paul, and Andrew on pedestals. Above this level, the third smaller body also has floral flourishes and sculptures of four apostles, surrounding the central sculpture of Christ. Naticastillo/Shutterstock
Indigenous elements combine with traditional European elements in these Corinthian columns. The stem is ornamented with angels, and plant motifs—mostly vines—referring to indigenous imagery. Roberto Galan/Shutterstock
Flanking the heavily ornamented rose window in the center of the façade are sculptures of two saints. Hirazo/Shutterstock
Unlike the richly decorated baroque exterior, the cathedral’s neoclassical interior has a more austere appearance, as seen in the massive white Doric columns, low central vault, and stone side altars. At the center, beyond the wooden church benches, one can spot the high altar. Luisalvaz/CC BY-SA 4.0
One of the neoclassical side altars of the Zacatecas Cathedral. The walls here are decorated with sculptures of saints and evangelists. Thelmadatter/CC BY-SA 3.0
The central altarpiece, made of Finnish birch covered with 24-carat gold leaf, was completed in 2010 by Mexican artist Javier Marín, and replaces the original. The altarpiece weighs 20 tons; the 55-foot high altar features geometric niches with 11 sculptures of the Virgin of the Assumption and saints. Luisalvas/CC BY-SA 4.0
Ariane Triebswetter
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Ariane Triebswetter is an international freelance journalist, with a background in modern literature and classical music.
