Santa Catalina de Alejandria Cathedral

As well as many other cathedrals in the World, this is a basilica formed by three naves or large spaces separated by columns towards the altar. Is the main work of Mr. Simon Gonzalez, who designed it based on other basilicas in the Canaries. Its construction began in 1557 and was finished 84 years later, overpassing incredible adversities.

Once built it surpassed Cartagena’s urban profile above other surrounding edifications. It had the appearance of an impregnable building to scare pirates who were interested in attacking Cartagena, that was defenseless in that moment due the absence of the walls.

On August 7th, 1600, the central nave knocked down as well as almost all the sides. The bang made all the citizens to wake up between a dense clouds of dust. In a meeting the next day, the town Council accused Mr. Simon Gonzalez, who was also the constructor of all the public buildings, to be guilty for this collapse. The trail lasted over two years without reaching any conclusion about the causes of the incident. Simon Gonzalez was absolved, the cathedral was restored and finally finished in 1661.