The Cathedral of Santiago de Saltillo stands at the southwest corner of the Plaza de Armas, the main square of the city centre. Its churrigueresque facade, carved from locally quarried grey sandstone, is considered one of the finest examples of baroque church architecture in northern Mexico. Construction began in 1745 and stretched across a hundred years, which means you can trace the shift from baroque exuberance to neoclassical restraint as your eye moves from the facade to the towers.
Inside, the cathedral is cool and dim, with an ornate main altar and several side chapels. Mass is still celebrated here daily, and on Sunday mornings the square outside fills with families. The cathedral faces the Plaza de Armas directly, so the best way to appreciate the facade is to stand at the far side of the square with a coffee from one of the surrounding cafes.