Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

Welcome to the grand zoh-KAH-loh of Mexico City. Before you stands the Metropolitan Cathedral, arguably one of the most historically dense and architecturally complex religious structures in the entire world. …

As we approach the main entrance, observe the immense scale of the twin bell towers and the intricate stone reliefs. Most of this cathedral is constructed using volcanic rock, sourced from the imposing volcanoes that ring this…

Stepping through the massive, ancient wooden doors, we enter the main nave. The atmosphere instantly cools, and the acoustics expand. …

Moving just beyond the Altar of Forgiveness, we arrive at the enclosed Choir. Look upwards at the magnificent twin organs. …

We have reached the far end of the cathedral, the apse, which houses the breathtaking Altar of the Kings. This towering, dizzyingly complex altarpiece is the absolute pinnacle of the Churrigueresque style, an ultra-Baroque…

Let us walk along the side aisles to examine the individual chapels. The cathedral contains fourteen distinct side chapels, each dedicated to a different saint and patronized by various wealthy guilds and aristocratic families…

We now approach one of the most fascinating, yet understated, features of the cathedral interior. Look at the long wire hanging straight down from the towering dome above, terminating at a marker on the stone floor. …

As we exit through the side doors and step back into the bright sunlight of the bustling city, take a final look at the exterior walls. Here, on the side profile, the mishmash of three centuries of architectural styles is most…