Photos of Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

On the north side of Plaza de Mayo is a cathedral built in 1723 with a history of nearly 300 years. This is the Capital Cathedral of Buenos Aires, which is the oldest church in Buenos Aires. The cathedral was built in the early 16th century and looked rather rudimentary at the time, so it has been rebuilt many times. The current building is a mix of architectural styles, with 18th-century walkways and domes, and 19th-century neoclassical façades without a bell tower. Its interior retains precious sculptures and altar decorations from the 18th century, as well as rich Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque decorations. Inside the church is the mausoleum of Saint Martin, a Latin American national hero. The top of the tomb is a bronze statue of Saint Martin, and a torch called “Argentina flame” is placed on the wall. It was lit, and it has been burning up to this day.