Introduction
The Cathedral of Zacatecas, dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption, is the principal church of the Diocese of Zacatecas. It’s located right in the heart of the city’s historic center, an area that has been officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its stunning baroque façade and detailed stonework, the cathedral stands as one of the most iconic landmarks in Zacatecas and a symbol of the city’s rich colonial heritage.
Before the current building there were two temples. The first, was built in the year 1568, as a parish of the city, which was small. A second temple was built in place of the previous one, and it is known that it was consecrated in the year 1625. It is the result of a construction process that began in 1550 when the plan for the first parish in the city was laid out. After several constructions, additions of chapels and renovations and occasional fires that occurred over 170 years, a definitive project was reached in 1732 that sought to integrate some walls and sculptures of the previous temples to build.In order to build a larger temple worthy of the city of “the aristocrats of silver”, and that would have more space, the walls of the current building were raised in its place. Built mainly between 1731 and 1752, the work was in charge of Domingo Ximénez Hernández. The first stone was laid by Don José de Izarraguirre, episcopal vicar. The work was dedicated in the year 1752 and was consecrated until 1841; It was not completely finished until 1904, the year in which the topped of the “imafronte” and the north tower were completed; this last work carried out by the lyrical master builder Dámaso Muñetón. This tower has a clock donated by Governor Genaro García Rojas. It possesses three facades, the northern one is dedicated to the Santo Cristo de la Parroquia, considered by the ancient miners as being extremely miraculous; the southern one honours Our Lady of the Zacatecas, patron saint of the city; while the principal one was finished on April, 24 of 1745, this one takes inspiration of the Sacred Communion; in it can be found the representations of the Holy Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit being accompanied by the Apostles, all around the Eucharist, carved in the key of the rosette window. On January 26, 1863, Pope Pius IX issued the bull that erected the Diocese of Zacatecas, raising the rank of the temple to a cathedral. The third temple, already with three naves, had its baroque wooden altarpieces, which were replaced by quarry ones, possibly designed by the Valencian architect Manuel Tolsá between 1803 and 1847, except for the largest one.
Architecture of Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, Zacatecas, Mexico
Architectural style: Churrigueresque architecture, Neoclassical architecture.
The building
The nave of the building has the shape of a Latin cross. It has three naves: the main one and two side ones, smaller than the first. It has two side entrances made of stone with the same amount of detail as the first one. The second one is one of the best and most finished Baroque details in the country. The original dome was replaced by the current one, which bears a strong resemblance to that of the Temple of Loreto (Mexico City). It has an octagonal lantern and is topped by a cross made of wrought iron. In contrast to the sober, neoclassical interior, the building’s exterior is covered in pink quarry stone, and the doorways and towers are extremely ornate.
The main façade
Elegant and highly decorated, like a sample of lace carved in stone. There are three sections to it. The first, with three columns with Corinthian capitals, the shaft highly ornamented with angels and plant motifs, mainly vines. Between each column are niches with pedestals containing the stone sculptures of the apostles Saint James , Saint Peter , Saint Paul and Saint Andrew . The mixed-linear entrance arch is also decorated with diamond reliefs, angels and plant motifs. The second body houses the choir window, by Digno, with a mixtilinear finish with moldings and framed by a ring excessively decorated with plant and anthropomorphic motifs and a high relief chalice-type keystone and in the corners of the same, the four doctors of the Latin Church with their respective attributes, (Saint Gregory the Great , Saint Jerome , Saint Augustine of Hippo and Saint Ambrose of Milan , the first two in the upper corners and the last two in the lower corners). Three columns decorated with plant motifs and vines guard the choir window. In the same way as in the second body, there is a niche with a pedestal between each column, four in total, with sculptures of saints. The third, smaller body has five niches, four of which contain sculptures of apostles, and the central niche is occupied by a sculpture of Jesus Christ. These niches are flanked by Baroque pilasters that are also decorated with plant motifs. The glory of the Eternal Father, who could be said to oversee the façade’s entire scene, is depicted at the top of the building. It is said that the color tones of the stone facade change with the sunlight throughout the day. Therefore, the best time to observe it is between 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The side portals
with two doors on the sides. The first, in the north, is dedicated to the parish Lord. It consists of two parts, the first arc of half point, its spandrels have vegetable ornaments and angels, has a copy in stone of a Christ who is inside. On either side figures of caryatids with plant motifs and cherubs. The second body, more elaborate than the first, a set framed by columns stipes with the image of Christ, the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, with angels deploying a curtain. Give mixtilineal a shot. The sculpture in the niche of the South portal, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Zacatecas, is said to have been sculpted by an artist who was sentenced to death but escaped execution with this piece. The facade has two bodies: the first has an arch and baroque columns with plant motifs surrounding it. The second section presents the above image, guarded by two caryatids columns.
The interior
The cathedral’s interior bears an austere and functional appearance, which greatly contrasts with its richly decorated exterior. This can be seen with its large Doric columns and neoclassical side altars. On the keys of the arches, there are Marian symbols, figures of saints, evangelist, clergy and objects of passion. The altar in the cathedral is gilded in 24-carat gold and was designed by Michoacan artist Javier Marn. It is 17 feet high and ten wide and covered with 25 kg (55 lb) of gold from Mazapil. It was made from the upper platform of the sanctuary’s geometric prisms and has niches where elaborate saintly images are placed. It weighs about 20 tons and is made of Finnish birch, a very hard wood that neither expands or shrinks, as it does not react to changes in humidity. There are eleven images on the altarpiece. At the top is the Virgin of the Assumption, who is consecrated the temple. On both sides are the parents of the Virgin, Santa Ana and San Joaquin. In the lower part are San Juan Bautista, San Agustin, Santo Domingo, San Antonio de Padua and San Ignacio de Loyola. Images of the martyrs San Mateo Correa and Blessed Miguel Agustn Pro were displayed on the sides. The bronze cross has a height of 4.2 meters and a width of two meters.
The organ
In the choir of the temple, there is the Monumental Organ of the Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas , one of the few functional pipe organs in the state, inaugurated in 1905, and remodeled in 1972, year since which it has been frequently used during Eucharistic celebrations until today.
Main altarpiece
The third temple, already with three naves, had its Baroque wooden altarpieces, which were replaced by quarry ones, possibly designed by the Valencian architect Manuel Tolsá between 1803 and 1847, except for the largest one, which is said to have been dismantled in 1852. thus causing an architectural and liturgical vacuum. Subsequently, a first cypress was built in this same year, which remained until 1895, which was later replaced by a second smaller one, thus giving rise to the concern to cover the front wall with an allegorical painting of the Assumption of the Virgin, a work carried out by Master Manuel Pastrana. In 1920 this Painting was removed, leaving only the Carrara marble cypress placed in 1913 as a liturgical setting. Finally, in 1964 said cypress was removed along with the polychrome of the entire interior. Finally, the construction of a new altarpiece for the main altar, designed by the Michoacán artist Javier Marín, was started and was completed in 2010. The altar is all covered with 24-carat gold leaf. It is 17 meters high and ten meters wide, covered by 25 kilos of this metal, extracted from the bowels of the semi-desert in Zacatecas (Mazapil, Zac.). It was constructed using geometric prisms that were born from the high platform of the presbytery. These prisms create niche-shaped spaces in which the elaborate saintly images sit. It is made of Finnish birch, a very durable wood that does not expand or contract in response to changes in humidity and has a weight of about 20 tons. There are eleven images on the altarpiece. The temple is dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption at the top. The Virgin’s parents, Saints Anne and Joachim, are depicted on its two sides. Saints John the Baptist, Augustine, Francis, Dominic, Saint Anthony of Padua, and Saint Ignatius of Loyola are at the bottom. San Mateo Correa and Blessed Miguel Agustn Pro, two Zacatecas martyrs, were depicted on the sides. The cross was made in bronze “lost wax” and measures 4.2 meters high and two meters wide.
Feast Day
Feast Day : 15 August
The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption in Zacatecas, Mexico, celebrates its feast day on August 15, honoring the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This important Marian feast marks the cathedral’s patronal celebration and is a significant event for the local Catholic community.
Church Mass Timing
Monday to Friday : 7:00 AM , 9:00 AM , 12:00 PM , 7:00 PM , 8:30 PM
Saturday : 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM , 5:00 PM , 7:00 PM , 8:00 PM
Sunday : 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM , 7:00 PM , 8:00 PM , 9:00 PM
Church Opening Time:
Monday, Thursday, Friday : 9:30 AM, 3:00 PM – 05:00 PM, 08:00 PM
Tuesday : 9:30 AM, 03:00 PM
Wednesday : 05:00 PM, 08:00 PM
Saturday : 10:00 AM, 02:00 PM
Sunday : 10:30 AM, 02:00 PM
Contact Info
Address : Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas
Av. Hidalgo 617, Zacatecas Centro, 98000 Zacatecas, Zac., Mexico
Phone : +52 492 922 6211
Accommodations
Connectivities
Airway
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, Zacatecas, Mexico, to General Leobardo C. Ruiz International Airport (ZCL), distance between 22 min (24.9 km) via México 45.
Railway
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, Zacatecas, Mexico, to Train station Estación San José, distance between 51 min (64.5 km) via México 45 and México 45D.
