Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral

Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral is the main Catholic church in Chile and the seat of the Archbishop of Santiago. It stands in front of the Plaza de Armas in the commune of Santiago. The architectural ensemble includes the Archbishop's Palace and the Parish del Sagrario, all designated national monuments. The current building is the fifth cathedral on this site, built between 1748 and 1906.

Don't miss

• The main altar, crowned by a marble ciborium built in Munich in 1912, with a crucifix guarded by angels.
• A pipe organ built by German Jesuits of Calera de Tango in 1754, still in use.
• Carved wooden pulpits from the 19th century in the central nave.
• The archiepiscopal crypt under the presbytery, remodeled in 2005, where archbishops of Santiago are buried.
• The great pipe organ made by Flight & Son of London, located in the choir above the main door.
• A large crucifix donated by Pope Pius XI, on a pilaster near the presbytery.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral

Cheapest way inOfficial Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago5★ · 589 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$11 per personSee dates →Most bookedSantiago : Hop-On Hop-Off, Cerro San Cristobal and Adventure4.8★ · 1,913 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$62 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleAndean Tour5★ · 44 travelers~5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$200 per personSee dates →

Know before you go

• The cathedral is located in front of the Plaza de Armas in the commune of Santiago.
• The architectural ensemble includes the Archbishop's Palace and the Parish del Sagrario, all national monuments.

A bit of history

The first church on this site was a simple chapel of light materials built around 1544. The first proper cathedral was built between 1566 and 1600 but was destroyed by earthquakes in 1647 and 1657. After the 1730 earthquake, Bishop Juan González Melgarejo ordered a complete renovation in 1746. The new cathedral was designed by Bavarian Jesuits Pedro Vogl and Juan Hagen, with construction starting in 1748. A fire in 1769 destroyed the old cathedral, accelerating work on the new one. Italian architect Joaquín Toesca took over in 1779, imposing a Neoclassical style. The building was nearly finished by 1830, and in 1840 Pope Gregory XVI elevated it to a Metropolitan Cathedral. Major modifications by Ignacio Cremonesi, commissioned by Archbishop Mariano Casanova, began in 1898 and were completed with the consecration on May 5, 1906.