Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary, Manizales, Colombia Verified listing

Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary, Manizales, Colombia

The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manizales stands in front of the Plaza de Bolívar in Manizales, Colombia. Furthermore, it serves as one of the most famous Catholic temples in the country. It draws thousands of visitors every year. The cathedral measures 115 meters from its base, making it the tallest cathedral in Colombia. In addition, it competes with the Basilica of the National Vote in Quito, Ecuador, for the tallest cathedral in Latin America. Moreover, it ranks as the tallest neo-Gothic temple in the Americas. Between 1936 and 1969, it remained the tallest building in Colombia.

French architect Julien Polti designed the cathedral. In particular, he served as Chief Architect of the Monuments of Paris. He applied neo-Gothic elements with precision. The Italian firm Papio Bonarda & Co., led by Angelo Papio and Gian Carlo Bonarda, built the cathedral. The building covers 2,300 square meters. It accommodates 5,000 worshippers. Notably, its main altar features a majestic baldachin. This canopy rests on columns and highlights the skill of the designers.

Visitors can join a guided sightseeing tour. During the tour, guides explain the cathedral’s history, architecture, and cultural significance. Each tour lasts approximately 75 minutes. In addition, the cathedral underwent several changes over the years. For example, the aluminum cross installed in 1992 was replaced in 2017 with a new cross featuring a statue of Christ. As a result, this update enhanced the cathedral’s symbolic and visual impact on the city skyline.

Overall, the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manizales combines religious, cultural, and architectural significance. Therefore, it stands as a central landmark in Manizales. Its height, history, and design make it an essential destination for worshippers and tourists alike.

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