Attraction
Museo de Antioquia
Medellín's principal art museum, founded as the Zea Museum in 1881 and home to a large donation of works by Fernando Botero beside Plaza Botero.
Catedral Metropolitana de Medellín
Medellín's neo-Romanesque brick cathedral on Parque de Bolívar, begun in 1875 and built from about 1.12 million bricks to a design by Charles Émile Carré.
At a glance
- Type
- Cathedral
- Area
- Villanueva (Centro), Medellín, Colombia
Good to know
- Active place of worship
- Faces Parque de Bolívar
Why we recommend it
The Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción de María, usually just called the Catedral Metropolitana, is the principal church of Medellín. It stands on the north side of Parque de Bolívar in the Villanueva district, and during its long construction it was often called the Villanueva Cathedral to distinguish it from the older Candelaria church, the episcopal seat of the time.
Its history is a lesson in patience. The land, on what was then the Plaza de Villanueva, was donated in 1857 by the English engineer Tyrrel Moore, and the first stone was blessed on 9 February 1875. Early designs by Filippo Crosti were rejected and work stalled during the civil war of 1876-1877. The project restarted when the French architect Charles Émile Carré arrived in Medellín in 1889; his neo-Romanesque plans, with a Latin cross, three naves, a transept and two towers about 53 metres tall, were accepted in January 1890. The structure was considered finished in 1917 and the cathedral was inaugurated on 12 August 1931. Around 1,120,000 bricks went into it, enclosing about 97,000 cubic metres of space.
Inside, look for the baldachin, altars, pulpit and stained glass designed by Giovanni Buscaglione, who arrived in 1917 to take charge of the decoration. The stained glass came from Spain in 1921, and the baldachin and high altar were brought from Italy in 1923 and 1924. Look too for the Cristo del Perdón by Francisco Antonio Cano, and for the façade clock, inaugurated on 20 July 1910 for the centenary of independence. The building covers a ground plan of 4,608 square metres, with 7,300 square metres of built area in all. Pope Pius XII made it a minor basilica in 1948, and Colombia has since protected it as a national monument and a site of cultural interest.
The cathedral is a working church, so dress modestly, keep noise down and avoid wandering during Mass. A visit takes 20 to 30 minutes. Parque de Bolívar, the square in front, is the natural place to pause before or after a visit.
Combine it with Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia, near Parque Berrío metro station, to make a half-day tour of the historic centre.
Catedral Metropolitana de Medellín FAQs
Where is the cathedral?
On the north side of Parque de Bolívar in the Villanueva district of central Medellín.
Who designed it?
The French architect Charles Émile Carré, in a neo-Romanesque style.
How long did it take to build?
The first stone was blessed in February 1875 and the cathedral was inaugurated on 12 August 1931.
How many bricks were used?
About 1,120,000 bricks.
What should I look for inside?
The baldachin, altars, pulpit and stained glass designed by Giovanni Buscaglione, and the Cristo del Perdón by Francisco Antonio Cano.
Is there a dress code?
It is a working church, so modest clothing and quiet behaviour are expected, especially during Mass.
How long does a visit take?
About 20 to 30 minutes.
What can I combine it with?
Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia, near Parque Berrío metro station, make a good half-day route with the cathedral.