Cathedrals take more than 1 lifetime to build
“All you need to know about the two very different histories of [Mexico & the United States] can be seen by looking at their churches.”
Building a cathedral is a major architectural endeavor. Many cathedrals took hundreds of years to build. The Cologne Cathedral (Germany) took 632 years of construction work (1248-1880). The Sagrada Familia (Barcelona), designed by Antoni Gaudí, has been under construction since 1882 (pausing 3 years for the Spanish Civil War) and should be finished next year in 2026 after 140 years. No short-term disposable society thinking here.
Spain built over 40 cathedrals for 40 new cities in the New World in the 16th century alone, including the famous cathedral on the Zocalo (main plaza) in Mexico City. Every Spanish city is designed the same way: the main plaza always has a cathedral and city hall (Church and State) with a large fountain in the center. Quite an endeavor.
The smaller church on the right side in the photo was the original cathedral, built starting in 1524 on the site of the grand temple to the Aztec goddess Tonanzin. Then, as soon as they got more money, the more impressive cathedral was built right next to it starting in 1573. Construction was not completed until 1813.
Totally Different
In marked contrast, the first church meeting houses of the English-speaking New World were very modest and made of wood, so they must regularly be replaced. First Parish in Cambridge, Mass., founded in 1632, is currently housed in its 5th church building, built in 1833.
On the first day of a college course I took on the history of Mexico, the professor pointed out this dramatic difference: “All you need to know about the two very different histories of [Mexico & the United States] can be seen by looking at their churches.”
Priorities
Spain’s clear priority was to invest in the Empire first. So when the Crown moved its capital from Toledo to Madrid in 1561 to be more centrally located, the intention was to build a cathedral for their new capital. But there was no pressing need to do so since the Church remained headquartered in Toledo.
322 years would pass before the cornerstone was finally laid in 1883 for the beautiful new Almudena Cathedral across from the Royal Palace. Construction was paused during the Spanish Civil War, and did not resume until 1950, when blueprints were modified so the facade would match the Palace facing it.
The cathedral was not finished until 1993!
A uniquely beautiful piece of architecture, the Neo-Gothic cathedral boasts a modern interior and modern sculptures. It is one of Madrid's many hidden gems.
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