Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, Argentina
Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in the center of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The construction of the cathedral lasted from 1754 to 1836 although it was consecrated in 1791. The design of the present cathedral in Neoclassical style was made by the Turinesse architect Antonio Masella, while the facade was designed by the French architects Catelin and Benoit. The ornamentation with twelve Corinthian columns symbolizing the twelve apostles was added between 1860 and 1863.
Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral houses a mausoleum of General Jose de San Martino who is regarded as the "father of the nation" as well as the tomb of the unknown soldier of the Argentine War of Independence. Francesco Paolo Parisi decorated the dome, the presbytery, the arms of the transept and the central aisle but his Renaissance frescoes were destroyed by humidity. Floor was designed by Carlo Morra. Victor de Pol made the monument to archbishop León Federico Aneiros which is in the San Martin de Tours chapel. The cathedral also houses fourteen paintings of the Via Crucis painted by Francesco Domenighini.
