Bolivia: Santa Cruz Cathedral is declared architectural, urban and ecclesiastical heritage

Within the framework of the 453rd anniversary of the department of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo, metropolitan cathedral of the archdiocese, received recognition for its “spiritual and community value”: it was declared Municipal Architectural, Urban Planning and Ecclesiastical Heritage .

The event took place this Wednesday at the Quinta Municipal and was attended by ecclesiastical authorities, including the Apostolic Nuncio in Bolivia, Mons. Fermín Emilio Sosa; and the Auxiliary Bishop of Santa Cruz, Mons. Estanislao Dowlaszewicz; in addition to political and civil personalities, and the general public.

There, Mayor Jhonny Fernández was in charge of delivering the document with the law that declares Municipal Architectural, Urban and Ecclesiastical Heritage of Santa Cruz de la Sierra to the cathedral, and stated: “This law recognizes the historical and cultural value of our Cathedral and also commits us to protecting and caring for this heritage that belongs to all Santa Cruz and Bolivians.”

The local leader also delivered the correct documentation for 52 religious service properties belonging to the archdiocese, which gives it legal security to carry out social and religious activities.

This local recognition is the first step to nominate the cathedral—one of the most important in Latin America—to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with the aim that in the future can be declared a World Heritage Site.

When referring to this distinction, Bishop Sosa express: “As Catholics, the cathedral is the mother church of all other churches, it is the center where we can say that God manifests himself to his people.” For this reason, “declaring it an ecclesiastical heritage is a very great symbol to be able to express the importance that spirituality has in our lives, in the construction of a community that helps in the development of human beings.”

Bishop Dowlaszewicz, for his part, highlighted that the cathedral “is not only a place of worship, but also a cultural and social center that reflects the historical and spiritual richness of Santa Cruz.”

“This recognition is a tribute to the dedication and effort of the community and the Church,” he stated.

History of the Cathedral of Santa Cruz

The first church was built in 1595, and rebuilt four times over the centuries, increasingly exceeding its dimensions due to the growing population.

The current building was built between 1839 and 1915. Given the economic difficulties during its construction, local Catholics collaborated with brick and stone so that the work could continue. Its architecture combines colonial and neoclassical styles.

In 1989, Pope John Paul II elevated it to a Minor Basilica.

There, in addition to professing Catholic worship, people who visit can visit the museum, with a valuable collection of more than four centuries of art, which includes religious and cultural works, silver and wooden objects, religious clothing and ornaments.