Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago

You don’t have to be religious to appreciate a masterpiece like the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago. Religion is something that almost everyone struggles to truly understand, but whether or not you believe in God, or any god for that matter, it doesn’t take a belief in an almighty power to truly appreciate something both expertly designed and beautifully crafted.

Built over 250 years ago, this neoclassical cathedral faces Santiago’s Plaza de Armas and is absolutely stunning both inside and out.  From the moment I walked in the front door I was awestruck.  There aren’t a bunch of rooms to go into or mounted descriptions that you would typically see in a museum.  There is but one room… and that’s the only room you need to see to feel like you’re standing inside of history.

Pictures do not do this church justice.  Every single inch of stone, wood, marble, gold, silver, stained glass, and whatever else this church is made out of, is ornately designed and has been hand-crafted to perfection.  Perfect arches, perfect paintings, perfect statues, perfect monuments, perfect lighting… simply perfect.

From the Altars of Apostol Santiago, San Miguel Arcangel, La Madre Dolorosa, and Cristo Crucificado, to the monuments and tombs of ancient priests buried deep beneath the church, every single thing you look at makes you stop dead in your tracks and think about the history behind what you’re looking at.  Who has taken the same steps I took down into the 500-year-old tombs of archbishops?  What wars and historical movements took place where people gathered here for prayer and safety?  Are there any secret societies that have stepped foot inside or secret messages hidden within these ancient walls and doors?  The questions remain unanswered, but the history remains there.

It’s hard for me to put into words exactly how I would describe this cathedral, as I would need to write a thousand words for every single thing I saw within the grand hall.  If you’re wondering how to spend a day in Santiago, do not miss this stop, as it will open your eyes to the true history of the city you’re standing within.