Central Cathedral of my City

Greetings, friends of Architecture + Design! On this occasion I want to share with you an architectural work of my city Maracay in the state of Aragua, Venezuela, it is Saint Joseph Cathedral, located in the central area of the city. I must say that it is a source of emotion and pride to be able to walk through the streets of the city and find this marvel of design that lies as if frozen in time for the pleasure and joy of the inhabitants of our region.

This majestic temple was built in the 18th century in a colonial style with its typical ellipses, moldings and sculptures. One aspect that calls my attention to this building is the ornamental details, especially the facade with its beautiful windows and the bell tower.

Upon entering the enclosure, you can see 3 large doors that lead to 3 naves. It should be noted that the cathedral also has a side entrance. Towards the left side, from the point of view of the main entrance, we find the Blessed Sacrament place, tabernacle in front of which the faithful and devotees present their prayers. Above the altar there is a dome painted in blue, inspired by the color of the sky. In general the temple has a good natural and artificial lighting, thanks to its large chandeliers. Its high pillars and its wooden ceiling that is preserved in perfect condition despite the years provide a lot of amplitude.

On the right side, we can find several spaces similar to chapels, where statues and religious sculptures of various saints and dedications of the virgin rest. Likewise, the church has an upper level at the back of the parishioners for the liturgical choirs. During my visit I noticed that near the apse of the temple there are some tombs of the bishops who were part of the clergy of the state.

Over the years I have seen how the central cathedral of my city has undergone several renovations and restorations, especially of its facade, which tends to deteriorate with the passage of time and the onslaught of the humid climate typical of this area of the country. I really like the fact that the bell tower of the cathedral is still in use, it is nice to hear them every time masses and special celebrations are announced in this religious precinct.

Popular religiosity is a very important aspect for the people of Aragua state, who have great devotion to the Virgin Mary in the dedication of Our Lady of Bethlehem and various saints such as St. Joseph, local patron, Blessed Mother Mary of St. Joseph and Blessed José Gregorio Hernández, hence the parishioners gather around the celebrations and festivities to express their faith as a symbol of unity and peace among the city dwellers.

Thank you for joining me here. I hope you enjoyed learning a little about the Cathedral of Saint Joseph as a work of great magnitude and radiant beauty. See you soon with more buildings of great architectural value found in my region.