La catedral de La Plata (SPA-ENG)

The Cathedral of La Plata

In the mid-19th century, Argentina underwent a series of profound changes. There were tensions and disputes, such as the one between the national government and the province of Buenos Aires over the location of the capital city. At that time, Buenos Aires served both as the capital of the country and its main province.

The governor of the province, Juan José Carlos Jacinto Dardo Rocha y Arana, who for simplicity's sake went down in history simply as Dardo Rocha, vehemently promoted the creation of a completely new city to which the province's administrative institutions, including the government palace and the governor's residence, would be relocated. There, too, he had to deploy extensive resources and skills to settle disputes with important, already established cities like San Isidro in the north and Quilmes in the south, which wished to increase their status as peripheral cities.

Finally, Rocha imposed his ideas, and a large plot of land was chosen (of which there was plenty everywhere at the time) near the hills of Ensenada de Barragán, about 10 kilometers from the Río de la Plata and the port of Ensenada. There, the most modern city for its time was designed, planned, and built, based on a design by engineer Pedro Benoit. The inaugural ceremony took place in 1882, when the cornerstone was laid in the geographic center of the city, now known as Plaza Moreno. Governor Dardo Rocha and Minister Victorino de la Plaza, representing the President of the Republic, Julio Argentino Roca, were present.

As expected, this central plaza would be surrounded by several provincial administration buildings, including the government palace, the municipal headquarters, and the courts. At that time, the need arose for a cathedral worthy of the importance of the new capital city of the most prosperous province in the entire Argentine nation.

The project, developed around 1884, also fell to the engineer Pedro Benoit, who sought inspiration in the European Neo-Gothic style. Among several notable examples were the cathedrals of Amiens in France and Cologne in Germany.

The site chosen for its construction was in the Plaza Moreno, directly in front of the municipal palace, whose construction still retains the same appearance as it did in those days.

The Cathedral suffered several suspensions due to various problems, initially structural, but also financial and political disputes.

It was not until the end of the 20th century, more than 100 years after its planning, that the cathedral was officially declared complete.

It stands 112 meters high, reached by its two identical towers. Its size is so imposing that it is said to be able to accommodate 7,000 people. It is the seat of the Archbishopric of La Plata, the center of the liturgical life of the archdiocese, and is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. Masses are held daily, along with national celebrations and other mass religious festivities, such as the procession of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th each year.

Its interior is a pleasant surprise, filled with art, symbolism, and ritual objects of extraordinary quality and workmanship. From its side aisles, finely carved wooden confessionals, images, exquisite stained glass, and statues, pulpit and presbytery with a central altar in keeping with the importance of the place, everything is overwhelming and encourages meditation and an intimate encounter with God.

Of course, it is a major tourist attraction, and daily guided tours offer access to many areas of interest, such as elevator access to one of its towers, from which you can see a large part of the city, including the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

In the basement, there is a museum with remains of the original crypt, relics, liturgical and historical objects, as well as an area where you can see bases, columns, bricks, and tools used in the construction.

I was born in that city, very close to where the Cathedral is located. Of course, I have a fondness for it, for its significance and its construction, imposing from every perspective. A true source of pride for all its inhabitants.