Part of a former monastery, this is one of the oldest cathedrals in the country. Step inside to find a multitude of 17th-century works of art lining its walls.
Cuernavaca Cathedral is a vast and iconic structure that has long played a key role in the cultural and ecclesiastical development of the city. It was initially built by Spanish settlers for the purpose of evangelizing indigenous peoples in the early 16th century. Enter this religious realm within the walled monastery.
Admire the Baroque design of the cathedral, which was completed in the mid 1500s. Gaze up at the bell tower. It has two distinct levels and a clock at its base, originally made for the Segovia Cathedral in Spain. Visit the monastery at night, when it is illuminated in beautiful golden light.
Enter through the main portal and note the abundance of paintings from 17th-century artists lining the walls. Among the highlights is a piece depicting the Franciscan Order’s trip to Japan to help during a plague. Admire the sculpture of St. Christopher with the Christ Child in the halls of the lower cloister.
Wander through the various ornate sections of the church, including the San José Chapel and Our Lady of Dolores Chapel. The latter is known for its neoclassical design and features. Admire the 18th-century Baroque interior of the Chapel of the Third Order.
Stroll through the monastic complex, which contains four ecclesiastical buildings. Discover the architectural delights of the neo-Gothic El Carmen Church. In the 1500s, this became the fifth Franciscan complex of its kind set up in Mexico.
Note that the church has been renovated several times over the centuries, due to its importance to the city. The arcades and the shell of the church remain intact from early days.
While most Mexican cathedrals face their city’s central plaza, the Cuernavaca Cathedral is two blocks southwest of the main square, Zócalo de Cuernavaca.
The Cuernavaca Cathedral is in the southern part of the historic center of the city. It is near the Pullman Central Bus Station in central Cuernavaca. Visit nearby attractions, such as the Parque Jardín Revolución, the Zócalo de Cuernavaca and the Jardín Borda.
