Metropolitan Cathedral, Buenos Aires (must see)

The Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral is the most significant Catholic church in the city. The site was originally designated for a church in 1580, and several structures were built throughout the 1600s. However, the current building dates to the early 1700s, with a Greek Revival facade added in the early 1800s. In 1836, the church was formally designated as the cathedral.

As you admire the cathedral's facade, you'll observe 12 Neo-Classical columns, symbolizing the twelve apostles. Its frontispiece features a large bas-relief depicting two important figures from the Old Testament: Jacob and Joseph in Egypt, intended as a metaphor for national reconciliation after periods of civil conflict. Walking inside, the cathedral impresses with a 134-foot vaulted ceiling and five naves. Pay attention to the Venetian mosaic flooring, covering the entire interior floor of the cathedral. It illustrates a series of religious motifs and geometric designs crafted by Italian artisans in the late 19th century.

The cathedral’s oldest artwork is the 1671 Christ of Buenos Aires. To find it, walk down the central nave and turn right, where the Chapel of the Holy Christ appears among the first on that side; the wooden 17th-century image stands in a small altar niche and is easy to spot thanks to its expressive colonial style. The main gilded wood altarpiece, dating to 1785, rises at the far end of the central nave, directly facing visitors as they enter the cathedral. The monumental 1871 organ, with more than 3,500 pipes, is positioned above the entrance on the choir balcony and becomes visible when you look back toward the main doors. The beautifully preserved 18th-century wooden pulpit, decorated with gold leaf, stands to the left of the central nave, raised on a carved base and easily noticed as you walk toward the altar.

Several important memorials are housed inside the cathedral, each easy to locate as you move through the nave. To the left of the main altar, an ornate marble mausoleum holds the remains of General José de San Martín, one of Latin America’s great liberators; the monument is guarded by statues representing Argentina, Peru, and Chile. Just beside it stands the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of Argentine Independence, marked by a simple yet solemn inscription.

Pope Francis celebrated Mass here during his years as Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio before his election as Pope in 2013. Today, the cathedral houses the Pope Francis Museum, displaying some of his personal items, liturgical garments, and photographs documenting his time in Buenos Aires.