Argentina: Jujuy cathedral close after partial collapse of a wall

The Basilica Cathedral of the Blessed Savior, in the Diocese of Jujuy, located in the North Argentina, had to be closed by caution after a partial collapse of its structure occurred.

The incident happened in the early hours of March 14, because of the rains and due to the state of deterioration of the temple, which is National Historical Monument.

The wall portion that crumbled is the one that gives to the patio belonging to the museum. The walls of the temple, dating from the 16th century, still contain adobe.

What happened demanded the preventive closure of both the Cathedral and the border museum, while propositioning tasks are performed that allow guaranteeing the safety of the faithful.

After the initial repairs, the specialists will review the roof and the walls to determine if the risk is higher, and what measures take from now on.

Until this situation is resolved, the celebrations will be held at the usual schedules in the chapel of the Huerto College.

History of the Cathedral of the Blessed Savior

The first building in the Cathedral was erected in 1593, the year of foundation of the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, at the request of its founder, Francisco de Argañaraz.

Between 1606 and 1612 a second church was built, which in 1631 collapsed due to the rains.

The current temple was raised between 1761 and 1765, with its pulpit made of Ñandubay and Cedro, a characteristic work of Spanish colonial art, exponent of the Baroque.

Between the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth century, parts of the temple were modified, although its walls of almost 1.80 meters thick are preserved since the viceregal period, as well as the pulpit and a confessional. Other modifications were carried out at the beginning of this century, such as the ceiling, the main altar and a marble -clad pilastra.

A chapel for the Virgen del Rosario de Río Blanco and Paypaya is located on its southern wall, where the Blessed Sacrament is saved.

Also the exterior of the temple suffered modifications at the beginning of the 20th century, which altered the appearance of the cathedral both in the body and on the facade and the gold tower. At that time a lateral atrium was added to Belgrano Street.

It was in this cathedral that Fr. Juan Ignacio Gorriti, Vicar General of the Army, blessed on May 25, 1812 the Argentine flag, created by Belgrano.

The temple houses important works of art of the Cuzqueña school inside, and an image of the Yacente Christ attributed to the Spanish sculptor Martínez Montañés.

He was declared a National Historic Monument by Decree No. 1347 of May 16, 1931, and elevated to Cathedral in 1935, when the Bishopric of Jujuy was instituted.