Catedral de Monterrey

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Monterrey dominates the northern end of the Gran Plaza, its twin towers rising above the city centre. The exterior is plain Baroque, with a facade of pale stone that is severe by Mexican standards. The interior is more ornate, with a gilded altarpiece and painted ceilings that reflect the cathedral's long construction history.

It is an active cathedral and religious services take place throughout the day. For a building of this significance, it is relatively undiscovered by visitors who tend to head directly to MARCO or the Macroplaza.

things to do sight church architecture
A story
Construction on Monterrey's cathedral began in 1630 and was not completed until 1800 — 170 years in the building. The long gestation explains the building's mix of styles: the lower sections are Baroque, while the towers reflect later 18th-century tastes. It survived the Mexican-American War, the Reform War, and the Revolution, though it was looted and briefly used as a barracks during the Revolution.

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