Metropolitan Cathedral, Buenos Aires (must see)

The Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral is the most significant Catholic Church in Buenos Aires. The location for the church was initially reserved in 1580, and several church structures were constructed in the 1600s. The current building was built in the early 1700s and had a new Greek revival facade added in the early 1800s. In 1836, the church was designated as a cathedral.

The Cathedral is adorned by 12 Neo-Classical columns, which represent the 12 apostles. The frontispiece depicts a bas-relief of Jacob and Joseph in Egypt. This scene was meant to be a metaphor for Argentine unity after civil turmoil.

The interior of the Cathedral is impressive, with a 41 meter (134 feet) tall vault and five naves. The flooring is a Venetian mosaic and portrays different religious symbols.

The oldest sculpture in the Cathedral is the 1671 Christ of Buenos Aires image. The main gilded wood altarpiece dates to 1785. The 1871 organ has over 3,500 pipes.

Several memorials are located inside the Cathedral. An ornate mausoleum houses the remains of General José de San Martín, a revered Latin American liberator. Visitors will find the tomb of the unknown soldier of Argentine independence. There is also a memorial to Jews killed in the Holocaust and the 1990s Buenos Aires Israeli Embassy and AMIA bombings.

Pope Francis held mass here as Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio before becoming Pope Francis. Today. The Cathedral houses the Pope Francis Museum and features some of his personal items.