Overview

The Jesuits began construction on the Cathedral of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in 1710, which is said to be the oldest church of the city. It was designed in the shape of a Latin cross with a central vaulted nave and lateral naves with upper galleries and deep chapels. The two large baroque-style corbels of the facade create a perspective illusion. The bell tower was once used as watchtower years ago. The bell itself originally marked the hour from the Cabildo (Town Hall) on the Plaza de Mayo square. The dome of white glazed tiles was erected above a polygonal tambour; the baroque-style main doors, hand-carved with friezes and moulding, open unto the central nave. Isidro de Lorea carved the main altar in wood in the 18th century.