Catedral de La Plata, La Plata : Interesting Facts, Information & Travel Guide

Welcome to La Plata, one of the largest and most beautiful cities in Argentina. Here you will find plenty of exciting things to do and places to visit including one of the most unique and iconic buildings in the entire country – the Catedral de La Plata. This magnificent structure was designed by the architect Emilio Broggi and is the largest cathedral in the country. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at this iconic building, providing interesting facts, information and a travel guide to help you make the most of your visit to the Catedral de La Plata. So, let’s get started!

Interesting Facts About Catedral de La Plata, La Plata

1. The Catedral de La Plata is the tallest ecclesiastical building in all of South America, standing at over 105 meters high!

2. The Cathedral’s foundation was laid on October 19th, 1882 on the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, the patron saints of La Plata.

3. The façade of the Cathedral is decorated with elements from Neo-Gothic and Neo-Romanesque styles, similar to those found in Nuremberg and Milan.

4. Inside, the Cathedral is decorated by Italian marble, along with more than 60 stained glass windows from the German glass manufacturer, Mayer of Munich.

5. The cupola of the Cathedral was built with stone from a quarry near La Plata and is held together with 150 tons of iron fastenings.

6. Inside the Cathedral you can find a number of artifacts, including the original 15th-century stained glass windows from the Iglesia de San Pedro de Maguna, the silver memorial for Almirante Brown, and the bronze bust of Saint Joseph.

7. Catedral de La Plata holds a special historical significance in the area as it was the first church ever built in the city of La Plata.

8. In 2020, the Catedral de La Plata was declared a national historical monument of Argentina.

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History & Information About Catedral de La Plata, La Plata

The Catedral de La Plata, in La Plata, Argentina, was built from 1882-1912, at the direction of President Julio Argentino Roca, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Designed by architect Ernesto Bunge, it is an example of Neogothic architecture.

The cathedral’s interior is highly decorated and includes a magnificent stained glass window, believed to be the largest in the world, and the country’s largest pipe organ. Other features include a slender bell tower of about 115 meters, and a 143-meter-high central dome. The original window painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, taken from London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, is still displayed.

The Catedral de La Plata serves as a spiritual center for the community and is home to numerous religious and cultural events, such as Mass, concerts, and art galleries. It is one of Argentina’s most recognized national historic monuments and is listed on the Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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Travel Guide For Visiting Catedral de La Plata, La Plata

, Argentina

1. Overview

Catedral de La Plata is one of the best-known monuments in La Plata in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is renowned for its impressive 19th century neo-gothic architecture, sprawling 8,000 square meters across the Plaza Fray Justo Santa Maria de Oro. Built in early 20th century honoring the Immaculate Conception, Catedral de La Plata stands as one of the tallest churches in South America. Visitors can explore its splendor by taking a guided tour and marvel at its impressive interior filled with religious paintings, sculptures, and stained glass art.

2. How to Get There

The easiest way to get to Catedral de La Plata is by taking the train from Buenos Aires. Take the Belgrano Nort line, which runs from Constitucion station in Buenos Aires to the La Plata station. From there, it’s a short walk to the cathedral. Alternatively, you can take the bus from either the Buenos Aires Belgrano or Constitucion stations.

3.Things to Do

• Explore the Cathedral: There are no fees to enter the Cathedral and visitors can explore the impressive 19th century neo-gothic architecture. There are guided tours available, or visitors can explore at their own pace.

• Take in the Interior: Visitors can marvel at the colourful stained glass windows, religious paintings and sculptures. There is also a gift shop selling religious memorabilia and souvenirs.

• Visit the Immaculate Conception Museum: Located in the sacristy of the Cathedral, the museum houses religious displays and artifacts from the 19th century.

• Climb the Tower: Climb the 176 steps to the top of the cathedral towers and take in the beautiful views of the city.

• Take a Walk Through the Plaza: Explore the beautifully landscaped park surrounding the Cathedral of La Plata. The Plaza also host carnivals, festivals and other cultural events throughout the year.

4. Where to Eat

Catedral de La Plata is surrounded by a number of restaurants, cafes and bars. Some recommended places to eat include:

• La Mezzetta: This Italian restaurant serves a variety of pizza, pasta and other Italian dishes.

• La Cocina de la Juntada: This traditional Argentinian restaurant serves dishes like empanadas and traditional meat dishes.

• Frida’s Bistro: Enjoy homemade Mexican dishes like tacos, fajitas and burritos at Frida’s Bistro.

• Emporio La Sala: This wine bar serves an extensive selection of wines, tapas and other light dishes.

• Café Pizzi: Café Pizzi serves Italian-Argentinian fusion food including pizza, pasta and sandwiches.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Catedral de La Plata, La Plata

Q: What is the Catedral de La Plata?
A: The Catedral de La Plata is a Neo-Gothic style cathedral located in La Plata, Argentina. It was inaugurated on December 8, 1932, and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of La Plata.

Q: Who designed the Catedral de La Plata?
A: The cathedral was designed by the French architect Ernest T. Buron, with the assistance of local architects Héctor Ayerza and Emilio Coutaret.

Q: How large is the Catedral de La Plata?
A: The cathedral is 114 meters (374 feet) long and its towers reach 55 meters (180 feet) in height. The structure is built of brick and stone, and is one of the tallest structures in La Plata.

Q: What features can be found inside the Catedral de La Plata?
A: Inside the cathedral, visitors can find stained glass windows, a marble pulpit, an organ, and a large statue of the Virgin Mary to welcome worshippers. The walls are decorated with several paintings depicting important scenes in Christian history. Visitors can also find numerous chapels dedicated to different saints.

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