Metropolitan cathedral of San Salvador

The metropolitan cathedral of San Salvador is the seat of the archdiocese of San Salvador, capital of the republic of the El Salvador. Destroyed in the years 1950 by a violent one sets fire to, the construction of a new cathedral was decided. This one, was completed in 1999, but was devoted and inaugurated in 2001. The cathedral thus asserts the title of last cathedral of the 20th century to be built and first of XXIe to be inaugurated.

External description

Lines almost perfectly quadrangular, the cathedral produces an impressive effect, by its raised size, almost crushing initially, by its form cuboïdale then. The principal body of the building is indeed gigantic a Parallélépipède right-angled (or paved right) lengthened, of which one of the small faces constitutes the frontal frontage. The roof, almost perfectly flat, is surmounted by two quadrangular and squat turns capping each side of the frontage, and a coloured dome dominating the other end of the building, i.e. the chorus. Two wings of the Transept, largely flattened compared to the principal body and of configuration quite as parallelepipedic that him, overflow of ten meters each side of the building. This one is directed North-South, with the chorus located at north, as it should be.

The length external of the building is of approximately 90 meters, its width is of almost 40 meters on average, and to 60 meters on the level of the transept.

All the nonfrontal frontages are bored broad windows. The side walls comprise each one of it ten. Their higher edge consists of an arc into full clotheshanger surmounted with a Oculus. They are separate each one by Contrefort S. These two elements segmentary (windows and buttresses) break the monotony of the unit completely and contribute to return it crushing less. The large Western frontage or left gives on a pretty planted place of trees. The northern or back frontage comprises only four windows illuminating the back of the building.

The principal frontage and the gate of entry

The frontal frontage is really impressive. It gives on a shaded place of approximately one hectare and bordered of old historical buildings. Enclosed by the first projecting, robust stage and completely blind man of the two turns, this frontage is bored of gigantic and single gate which occupies to it quasi totality of surface. The top of this gate made up of large a arc into full clotheshanger is surrounded by a little naive paintings with Indian inspiration and with the colors étincelantes, all in contrast with the coldness of the base of the turns. It is the same for the rather reduced spaces located between the gate and them known as bases of the turns. One can say that the artists succeeded in returning blazing a surface which without them had been dull and dull.

The two turns whose first blind body covering and solid mass produce an impression of fortress and who is prolonged until height of the large flat roof of the building, have a second less low and rather squat body. Quite as square as the remainder, this stage has four faces and is largely opened by broad bays. The turns are surmounted each one of a terrace supporting curious a small quadrangular and coloured cupola, of Eastern inspiration.

The dome

Beautiful large a dome of style Néobyzantin and coloured the brown one and of blue surmounts the chorus. It is posed on a drum largely bored windows, average height and from which the diameter extends over almost all the width from the building. It is in its surmounted turn of small a Lanternon constituting the top of the building.

Interior description

The interior, all in curved lines and richly decorated constitute an enormous contrast with quadrangular outside.

The Coupole surmounting the chorus consists of a gigantic painting representing of the landscapes, characters and scenes of the Salvadorian daily life (Indian inter alia) under an immense blue sky in which float some angels, the Holy Trinity and the Virgin Mary in particular.

The chorus is closed with the back by a rich person surmounted woodworks hemicycle of two lines of very great paintings representing of the episodes of the life of Christ and other religious scenes. The Maître-autel is surmounted by a large crucifix suspended on the vault of the sanctuary.

Internal bond

See Project Catholicism

External bonds

Site of discussion on the Latin-American cathedrals - Made 6 runs (roll-down) to reach very beautiful photographs

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