Tunja Cathedral

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Facade of the cathedral
inner space

The Cathedral of Tunja or Cathedral Basilica of the Apostle James ( Spanish Catedral Basílica de Santiago Apóstol ) is a Roman Catholic church in Tunja , capital of the Boyacá department in the Colombian highlands. The cathedral of the Archdiocese of Tunja dates from the 16th century and is dedicated to James the Elder , it also bears the title of a minor basilica .

history

A first simple church in the Plaza Mayor already provided the place for the first holy mass in 1539 and was completed in 1541, it was consecrated to Our Lady of Guadalupe . In addition to the altars and the choir, it had a chapel dedicated to the Madonna of Guadalupe. Even after a fire in 1553, it was still used for the time being.

Pedro Gutiérrez was commissioned to build the present church in 1565 and began work in 1567. The completion together with the first chapels took place on June 29, 1574. The portal followed in 1600, the bell tower probably in 1610. In the 17th century, other chapels followed.

With the creation of the Diocese of Tunja in 1880 by Pope Leo XIII. the church was elevated to a cathedral. In 1910, the current dome was built to complete restoration work . The old town of Tunja, including the cathedral, was declared a National Monument of Colombia in 1959. In 1980 Pope John Paul II gave the church the title of a minor basilica.

architecture

The church was built in the Isabelline style as a hall church. The three naves close off without a transept, the side naves are separated by two rows of seven cylindrical columns. The four side chapels were built on the outside. In the choir area, a dome rises above a drum with eight windows. The ceilings are as richly decorated Mudejar - coffered ceilings executed, the central nave is slightly higher than the aisles. The bell tower stands on the right side of the portal on a square base, which is provided with a cornice and a pointed, octagonal dome.

The facade is rectangular and consists of three vertical bodies divided by four pilasters . The renaissance portal was designed by Bartolomé Carrión. In the upper part of the facade there is a central tympanum in the gable with a picture of the crucified, cornices and a balustrade above.

Web links

Commons : Tunja Cathedral  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Catedral Basílica de Santiago Apóstol on gcatholic.org
  2. ↑ Historia de la Catedral de Tunja (Spanish)

Coordinates: 5 ° 32'1 "  N , 73 ° 21'40.7"  W.