CATHEDRAL

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Gothic Revival Temple of South America, which began building in 1884 and opened in 1932, coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the city, although it was not until 1999 that the works were completedwith the completion of its two towers.
From one of them, which is accessed by lift, you can see the perfect layout of the city.
This magnificent temple was erected in front of the Plaza Moreno, in the block through the streets 14 and 15 and 51 and 53 Avenues.
With exposed brick, red, beautifully distinctive, has become the symbol characteristic of La Plata. Its area is 7000 square meters, can accommodate 14,000 people, and measures 120 meters long and 76 from the front. Taken to the cross, the height reaches 97 meters, while the gleaming towers reach 112 meters.
By decision of Dardo Rocha, and although the plans were completed a year later, on April 30, 1884 is recognized as the date of laying the foundation stone.
The Cathedral of La Plata is inspired by the Gothic cathedrals of Amiens (France) and Cologne (Germany). In the original plan designed by Peter Benoit and Ernest Mayer foresaw the construction of three towers, which were left unfinished.
The Executive Unit Cathedral, a provincial agency created to carry out the restoration, enhancement of the building and completion of the work, divided the work into three stages.
On the one hand the restoration and preservation of the building suffered serious damage on your walls, ceilings and windows. In these tasks took forty sculptors, ceramists, architects and conservation specialists. It is estimated that the cathedral is covered by 12 million bricks.
Another work done by the Implementation Unit was strengthening the foundations of the towers. We used modern techniques and machines micropiling special tubes to carry 2,000 tons of additional weight was added to each.
The third and last work was the construction of the two giant towers of 112 meters each, which were completed such as Benoit and Mayer had originally designed.
The towers have a first tranche of brick that extends to 63 feet high. The second takes up 20 feet and was built in white stone simil. The last section, 30 meters high, is completely made of copper.These tasks are added to the four towers of 56 meters and two that reach 39 meters. In addition, 200 sets of pinnacles organized into 20 types, including 33 major and 761 smaller needles.
Each of the nine towers express a message. The cruise is the Pantocrator. Front View, the main tower on the right represents the Virgin Mary, there is the bell tower, while the left represents Jesus Christ. The four high towers allude to the cardinal virtues: Fortitude, Justice, Prudence and Temperance.
As the original project arise Benoit, 56 religious images emerge that are represented on the front and the main towers. The major piece is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and is situated on the main gable. The accompanying thirteen in the portal. The rest is in the main tower building the life of Jesus and Mary.
Another stunning piece is the stained glass rose window, which since 1998 shows off its colors on the front of the temple, an artistic work consisting of 180 square meters for 25,000 pieces.This stained glass window occupies the central warhead and is the first to be built in the workshop of the church, which was joined by others.
Today, the Cathedral looks complete with six side towers completed and rolled copper, and with 800 pinnacles placed with willing ornamentation across the front.
Thus, with the six already completed side towers and pinnacles built, the temple of the city completed to realize the dream of who designed the Cathedral.
Address: 14 between 51 and 53. Phone: (0221) 427-3504.Hours: Monday through Saturday from 9 to 19, Sundays and holidays from 9 to 20 hs.