Photo: Manizales Cathedral / By Jackeline Gonzalez L.
Manizales Cathedral, the tallest in Colombia
Breaking panoramic tours offer a 360° view of downtown Manizales from a height of 2,300 m². A unique and mystical place.
This imposing 106-meter-tall structure, located between Carrera 22 and 23 in downtown Manizales, Caldas, covers an area of 2,300 m² and has a capacity for 5,000 people. It is the largest basilica in the country.
Construction began on February 5, 1928, but was suspended due to the global economic crisis. Work resumed on February 7, 1935, and the cathedral opened its doors on September 29, 1939.
The plans and design were carried out by Julien Polti, the chief architect of Parisian historical monuments, and the reinforced concrete construction was undertaken by the Italian firm Papio Bonarda & Co., founded by Angelo Papio and Gian Carlo Bonarda.
The cornerstone was laid by Monsignor Tiberio de Jesus Salazar, then Bishop of Manizales. On December 23, 1951, it was granted the title of Basilica by Pope Pius XII, and in 1984 it was declared a National Monument during the administration of Belisario Betancur.
Since its construction, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manizales has withstood the earthquakes of 1962, 1979, and 1999. Furthermore, its infrastructure remains intact despite some maintenance renovations.
Currently, tourist tours are offered inside the Basilica through its Polish Corridor, with a 360º view of the center of Manizales, where you can also access the Tazzioli cafe, a cozy place to share amidst a unique panoramic view in a mystical and traditional environment.
Its Style and Art
Photo: Stained glass window of the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manizales.
Its architecture is Gothic with Byzantine and Romanesque details such as semicircular, vaulted, interlaced, pointed, and ogival arches. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Greek cross.
It consists of a central tower 113 meters high, which houses the Polish Corridor, and four lateral towers, each 62 meters tall, named San Pablo, Santa Ines, San Marcos, and San Francisco. The latter was destroyed during earthquakes and later rebuilt.
The cathedral has three naves and is ornately decorated. Its main doors are made of bronze and carved with depictions of significant historical events in the city. The central door weighs 5 tons and is called “The Dream of the Cathedral.” At its apex is a 9-meter-diameter rose window with the figure of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Surrounding the cathedral are large stained-glass windows covering approximately 1,000 square meters, featuring works painted by Italian, French, and Colombian artists. In addition, it has a beautiful baldachin, 14 meters high, gilded and on its 4 columns it has 64 images of saints, which evoke the celestial court and the communion of saints.
Panoramic view from the Polish corridor
Context before its construction
In 1849, a small chapel stood on the site until 1854. It was then demolished, and construction began on the first Parish Church through the intercession of the city’s first priest, Bernardo Jose Ocampo. The work was completed in 1869 under the direction of Father José Joaquín Baena. Later, due to earthquakes, it was demolished in 1886.
In 1888, construction began on the second church, designed by the Bogota architect Mariano Sanz de Santa Maria. The work was completed in 1897. In 1900, it became a cathedral and was inaugurated in March 1901.
After two fires, one on July 3, 1925, and the other on March 20, 1926, the building collapsed. A replica of the original church stands in the Chipre neighborhood of Manizales. Because of these events, the idea for a new cathedral began the following year, and construction started in 1928.
Article by:
Jackeline Gonzalez L.
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