The Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Independence Square is Port of Spain's most prominent church and one of the oldest buildings in the city centre. Built in the early nineteenth century in a Gothic revival style on a site that has held a Catholic church since Spanish colonial times, it faces the square from its northern side. The interior has fine woodwork and stained glass; the building has been renovated several times without losing its essential character.
The cathedral is an active parish church and is open to visitors during daylight hours outside of services. Independence Square itself — two parallel roads framing a long, narrow park — is the commercial axis of downtown Port of Spain and worth walking end to end.