The Cathedral of Santo Domingo, officially known as the Primatial Cathedral of America, holds the distinction of being the first cathedral built in the New World. Located in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, this historical and architectural gem is a testament to the early Spanish colonial presence in the Americas.
Construction of the cathedral began in 1514 under the order of Pope Julius II, shortly after the arrival of Christopher Columbus. The initial design was overseen by Alonso Rodríguez, who incorporated Gothic and Renaissance elements into the structure. Over the centuries, the cathedral has undergone several expansions and renovations:
The cathedral's architecture reflects a blend of styles due to its long construction period:
Inside, the cathedral boasts several notable features:
The Cathedral of Santo Domingo was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 as part of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. It stands as a symbol of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas and the spread of Christianity in the New World.