Metropolitan Cathedral

San Nicolás

The Metropolitan Cathedral is the main seat of the Catholic Church of Argentina. Located in front of Plaza de Mayo, at the intersection of Calle San Martín and Avenida Rivadavia, the Metropolitan Cathedral is the main headquarters of the Catholic Church of Argentina. In addition to being in a key area of Buenos Aires, it has a long history related to its construction: The current building is the product of six architectural works. Its first construction was in 1593, when an adobe chapel was built. The definitive construction began in 1752 under the direction of the Italian architect Antonio Masella.

To the Cathedral the mausoleum of General José de San Martín was added in 1877. The neoclassical façade was added in 1822 and in 1860, the bas-relief of the frontspice, which has a profile little used in cathedrals, which gives it a closer resemblance to a Greek temple than to a classic Christian building.

The church functions as a museum in honor of Pope Francis, where he was archbishop for 15 years. There the visitor will be able to find personal and liturgical objects that he used throughout his pastoral ministry.

The church hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. It has a service of guided tours and audio guides in different languages.