Discover the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic

The Cathedral of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, better known as the Primatial Cathedral of America, is the main Christian monument of the capital. It is not only a building with more than 500 years of history, but also a key place to understand Dominican and American culture in general.  

The Cathedral of Santo Domingo is a must-visit for people visiting our city; below, we will analyze the history and all the curiosities that the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Incarnation hides. 

Where is the Cathedral of Santo Domingo

The Cathedral of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic is located in the heart of the colonial city. Initially, it constituted one of the central points of the city, which is why this site remains one of the most important in the capital. 

The cathedral is situated between Isabel la Católica Street and Arzobispo Meriño Street, facing Plaza de Colón and very close to the mouth of the Ozama River in the Caribbean Sea.  

The history of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic

The origin of the cathedral dates back to August 8, 1511, when Pope Julius II authorized the construction of the first cathedral in America. Construction began in 1523, with Bishop Alessandro Geraldini. The construction work was completed in 1540. The first Catholic mass held in the temple was on August 31, 1541. 

The Cathedral of Santo Domingo is, therefore, the first cathedral on American soil. 

Beyond its inauguration date, some conditioning works continued, giving rise to its current appearance.

Among the anecdotes related to this temple, one of the most curious is that the British privateer Sir Francis Drake looted the cathedral in 1585. It is also very important that the remains of Christopher Columbus rested in this cathedral from 1544 until 1877, when they were discovered by Father Billini and subsequently sent to Seville.   

In 1930, Pope Benedict XV declared it a Minor Basilica of the Virgin of the Annunciation. 

Since 1990, it has been considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

Description and style

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, numerous architectural details can be highlighted, characteristic of Gothic style and the mix of styles typical of our area.

Most notably, it is a construction based on the latest Gothic style from the mid-16th century, when its construction commenced. The ribbed vaults and the three doors, two of which are completely Gothic and the third is Plateresque, are some of the most notable structures.  

The cathedral is a total of 54 meters long and 23 meters wide. It was built mostly with limestone, although some walls are made of masonry and bricks.

The Primatial Cathedral is one of the few truly Gothic buildings present on the American continent, not only due to its style but also because of its date of projection and construction.

The visit to the interior of the Primatial Cathedral

The interior part of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, is as impressive as its exterior structure. Visitors can discover 3 main aisles covered by ribbed vaults, supported by cylindrical columns. At the end of each aisle, there is an altarpiece, 3 in total, with oils on wood and gold leaf, belonging to the Baroque style, which is immediately after the Renaissance. These altars from the 17th and 18th centuries are also an important part of the cultural heritage safeguarded by the Primatial Cathedral. 

The interior houses a total of 14 chapels, divided into a north aisle and a south aisle, which are as follows:   

Chapel of the Souls of Alonso de Fuenmayor or Zuazo
Chapel of Saint Michael or Virgin of Sorrows
Chapel of Christ of Agony or Alessandro Geraldini
Chapel of Fernando Arturo de Meriño
Chapel of Our Lady of Light
Chapel of Altagracia
Chapel of Our Lady of the Antiquity
Chapel of Jesus in the Column
Chapel of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Chapel of Saint Francis of Paula
Chapel of Saint Peter
Chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament
Chapel of Baptism
Chapel of Saint Anne or Rodrigo de Bastidas

Some of these chapels contain Renaissance mausoleums; additionally, the temple once welcomed the Founding Fathers.

The Primatial Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in America and completely preserves its original form, which is why it is a fundamental part of our history.