Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico Verified listing

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist (Spanish: Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de San Juan Bautista) is a key religious and historical landmark in Puerto Rico. Its official name is the Minor Basilica of Saint John the Baptist and Parish of Our Lady of Remedies (Basílica Menor de San Juan Bautista y Parroquia Nuestra Señora de los Remedios).

You will find the cathedral in Old San Juan, where it serves as the central church of the Archdiocese of San Juan de Puerto Rico. Consequently, it welcomes many visitors throughout the year. These include locals, pilgrims, and tourists.

It is one of the oldest buildings in the Americas. It holds the title of the oldest cathedral building in the United States and the oldest purpose-built cathedral in the region. Moreover, it ranks as the second-oldest existing cathedral and the third constructed in the Americas.

Visitors admire its elegant structure and rich history. However, its spiritual significance is equally powerful. Inside, the cathedral contains the tomb of Juan Ponce de León. He was the Spanish explorer who founded San Juan.

The cathedral also houses the National Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Providence, who is the patroness of Puerto Rico. Many come here to pray, reflect, and give thanks.

Additionally, the church honors Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago. He was the first Puerto Rican and Caribbean-born layperson to be beatified by the Catholic Church.

Altogether, the cathedral symbolizes Puerto Rico’s Catholic heritage. It remains a place of worship, history, and cultural pride for many generations of believers and visitors alike.

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