New Cathedral of Cuenca Save
Description
The New Cathedral of Cuenca, officially called the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, is the most iconic landmark of Cuenca, Ecuador.
Located directly in front of Parque Calderón, in the historic center of Azuay Province, it dominates the skyline with its three brilliant blue domes and a monumental Romanesque-Byzantine façade. The cathedral is one of the most photographed sites in the Ecuadorian Andes and a central point in Cuenca’s UNESCO World Heritage Zone.
Importance
The cathedral faces the Old Cathedral of El Sagrario, symbolizing the transition from the colonial period to the modern city.
It remains an active center of Catholic worship and one of the top tourist attractions in Cuenca.
Architectural Style and Design
- Construction began in 1885 under the direction of Friar Juan Bautista Stiehle, a German-born architect from Alsace.
- The style blends Romanesque Revival, Neo-Gothic, and Byzantine Revival elements.
- The façade is built of local marble and alabaster, while the floor uses pink Carrara marble imported from Italy.
- The three main domes, covered with blue and white ceramic tiles from Czechoslovakia, are Cuenca’s visual trademark.
Structure and Interior Features
- The cathedral covers nearly 10,000 m² and can hold around 8,000 worshippers.
- The central nave is flanked by wide aisles and illuminated by stained-glass windows designed by Spanish artist Guillermo Larrazábal.
- The main altar and baldachin are made of carved cedar wood coated in gold leaf.
- Eleven side altars honor saints such as the Virgin of Sorrows, Santa Marianita, and San José.
- The towers were never completed to their original height due to foundation limits, giving the cathedral its unique silhouette.
Visiting the New Cathredral of Cuenca
Visitor Experience
- The rooftop terrace between the towers offers panoramic views of Cuenca’s red-tiled roofs and the surrounding Andes Mountains.
- Visitors can climb a spiral staircase to reach the viewpoint for a small fee.
- Inside, photography is allowed in non-service hours; respectful behavior is requested during mass.
Getting Here
Address
Calle Benigno Malo and Calle Mariscal Sucre, Cuenca
The cathedral faces the Old Cathedral of El Sagrario, symbolizing the transition from the colonial period to the modern city.
Opening Hours
The cathedral is open daily, with special celebrations during Holy Week, Corpus Christi, and Cuenca’s Independence Day (November 3).