Guadalajara Cathedral, formally the Catedral Basílica de la Asunción de María Santísima, stands on Avenida Alcalde in the Centro Histórico. Its two yellow-tiled neo-Gothic towers rise about 65 metres and mark the city's skyline. The body of the church is Spanish Renaissance, and chapels, altars and stained glass fill the interior. Below the main altar are the crypts, where archbishops and bishops are buried. Entry is free, and the building is still an active church, so daytime services are part of the visit. Come back after dark to see the facade lit.
From an adobe church to the 1618 cathedral
The first church on this site went up in 1541. It was made of adobe with a thatched roof, and a fire destroyed it soon after. The city had been founded in 1542, and when the Catholic see moved here in 1560, the King of Spain ordered a new cathedral.
Construction began in the 1560s and continued for roughly five decades, with the building finished in the early 17th century. The mix of styles you see today comes from that long build and from later reconstruction.
The towers and the facade
The towers are the part everyone recognises. Earthquake damage in 1818 brought the original towers down, and the neo-Gothic pair that replaced them was built in the 19th century. They are covered in yellow tiles and are about 65 metres tall.
The rest of the church is Spanish Renaissance, and the facade combines elements usually described as Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical. Because of this, the towers and the body of the building look noticeably different from each other. The cathedral faces Plaza de los Laureles, and the Plaza de Armas runs along its side.
Inside the cathedral
The nave is spacious and quiet, and the stained glass softens the light. Above the altar, a stained-glass Last Supper catches the daylight at the right hour. A pipe organ is still in use, and the acoustics are noticeable when a service or wedding is under way.
Several chapels hold paintings attributed to Cristóbal de Villalpando, Miguel Cabrera and Murillo. The cathedral also keeps a martyr's relic, a sculpture of the Virgen de la Rosa and the remains of Santa Inocencia.
Beneath the main altar are the crypts. The archbishops and other church leaders of the diocese rest there.
The plaza and the evening
The cathedral sits among plazas, and the surrounding area is a place to sit and watch the city. Mariachi music plays nearby, and street vendors work around the Plaza de Armas. Churches around the centre ring their bells, so the soundscape is lively by day.
After dark the building is lit, and the plaza is lit in colour. On some nights a history show is projected onto the cathedral walls, so an evening visit adds something even if you saw the interior earlier in the day.
The Palacio de Gobierno, with Orozco murals inside, and the Teatro Degollado are both close by on foot.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee for Guadalajara Cathedral?
No. Visitors can go inside for free, or simply enjoy the building from the plaza.
Where is Guadalajara Cathedral?
It is at Av. Alcalde 10 in the Zona Centro, in the Centro Histórico. The Plaza de Armas is beside it and the Plaza de los Laureles is in front.
Can you see the crypts?
Yes. The crypts lie beneath the main altar and hold the remains of archbishops and bishops.
Is the cathedral lit at night?
Yes. The building is lit in the evening, and the plaza has coloured lights. On some nights a history show is projected onto the walls.
Is there wheelchair access?
The cathedral has a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot.
