Cathedral of Santa María la Menor

The first cathedral in the Americas, built of golden coral stone with a Gothic and Plateresque facade.

The front is made of golden-tinted coral limestone, and the style is Gothic, a rare example of real Gothic architecture outside Europe. The card says the front also has Plateresque details, a rich Spanish decoration style. Next to it is Columbus Park. In 1546 the Pope gave it the rank of Primate of America.

How old is it?

Sources agree on the order of events but differ on exact years. Pope Julius II ordered a cathedral here in 1504. Building began in 1512 under the first bishop, with plans by the architect Alonso de Rodríguez, and later a new design by Luis de Moya and Rodrigo de Liendo came in 1522. It was consecrated on 31 August 1541. Some sources say work was completed around 1540 and another gives 1550. In 1546, Pope Paul III raised it to the rank of metropolitan cathedral and Primate of America.

What is inside?

The cathedral has a treasury that holds an excellent art collection: old woodcarvings, furniture, funeral monuments, silver and jewelry. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo. The bell tower was stopped in 1547 because its height, above the nearby Homage Tower, caused concerns. The cathedral stands on a street corner between Calle Arzobispo Merino and Isabel la Católica, in the heart of the old town, which is a UNESCO site.

On the globe

The model shows the golden coral-stone cathedral with its Gothic and Plateresque front. Look for the warm, sand-colored front.