The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
New Mexico
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is a prominent Catholic cathedral located in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, serving as the mother church of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Constructed between 1869 and 1887 under the direction of Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy, the cathedral was designed in the Romanesque Revival style, a striking contrast to the surrounding adobe buildings. The building features yellow limestone quarried locally, round arches supported by Corinthian columns, and a large rose window imported from Clermont-Ferrand, France. Notably, its two truncated square towers were originally planned to have tall steeples, which were never completed due to funding. The interior houses a Brazilian granite baptismal font symbolizing key Christian themes, along with an ambry cabinet and Easter Candle stand. Over the years, the cathedral has undergone several restorations, including the addition of bronze doors depicting the Catholic Church's history in Santa Fe and a stained glass window inspired by Bernini's work in St. Peter's Basilica. Elevated to a minor basilica in 2005, it remains a vital spiritual and cultural landmark blending French, Spanish, and local influences.
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Tip: Visit during weekdays in the morning or early afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy a quiet atmosphere. Consider checking the cathedral's official website for special mass times and events. Tickets are generally not required, but donations are appreciated. Accessibility accommodations are available, and visitors should respect the sacred nature of the site during services.
Zajímavosti
- •The cathedral’s rose window and lateral nave windows were imported from Clermont-Ferrand, France.
- •The keystone above the main entrance features a Hebrew tetragrammaton symbol inside a triangle representing the Trinity.
- •The bronze doors added in 1986 each contain ten panels depicting events in the history of the Catholic Church in Santa Fe.
- •A stained glass window featuring a dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, replicates Bernini’s 17th-century alabaster window from St. Peter’s Basilica.
Historie
The cathedral's origins trace back to the early 17th century with a church built in 1626, which was destroyed during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.
In 1853, Pope Pius IX established the Diocese of Santa Fe, appointing Bishop Lamy who initiated construction of the new cathedral in 1869.
The cathedral was built around the old adobe church, which was demolished upon completion in 1887.
Significant restorations occurred in 1967 and 1986, including structural reinforcements and new bronze doors.
In 2005, it was designated a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI, marking its importance within the Catholic Church.
Průvodce po místě
Main Nave2001
The central space of the cathedral featuring the Brazilian granite baptismal font, symbolizing the Christian journey of faith with its cruciform basin and symbolic steps. The nave also includes the ambry cabinet and Easter Candle stand, essential for Catholic sacraments.
Bronze Doors1986
Created by American artist Donna Quasthoff during the 1986 restoration, these doors each have ten bronze panels illustrating significant events in the Catholic Church’s history in Santa Fe.
Stained Glass Dove Window2005
Added in 2005, this small round window on the upper façade depicts a dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit. It is a stained glass replica of a 17th-century alabaster window designed by Bernini for St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Kontakt
Telefon: (505) 982-5619