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Church · Manizales, Caldas
Catedral Basílica de Manizales
The neogothic concrete cathedral in the Plaza de Bolívar, with a central tower that exceeds 100 meters and a route that climbs inside up to the lookout, offering views of the city and the mountains.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Catedral Basílica de Manizales
The Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora del Rosario is located in the Plaza de Bolívar, in downtown Manizales. It was built between 1928 and 1939, after a fire destroyed the previous wooden cathedral. The project, by Italian architect Gian Carlo Bernasconi, used reinforced concrete to withstand the region's earthquakes, interpreting the neogothic style with pointed arches, stained glass and spired towers.
The central tower exceeds 100 meters and is the city's landmark, visible from almost every neighborhood. The interior features colorful stained glass and a carved wooden baldachin over the altar. The cathedral offers the Corredor Polaco, a guided visit that climbs internal stairs up to the tower viewpoints, with views of Manizales spread along the mountain ridge and, on clear days, the mountains of the cordillera.
In the Plaza de Bolívar in front is the Bolívar Cóndor, a bronze sculpture by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt that blends the figure of the hero with that of a condor. On the other side of the square is the Palacio de Gobierno de Caldas.
The city is full of slopes, and the center sits high. The climate is cool, with frequent rain.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to 1 hour; add 1 hour if you do the Corredor Polaco.
Best time
In the morning, when the sky is clearer for the tower view. The Corredor Polaco has set schedules; check before you go.
How to get there
At the Plaza de Bolívar, in downtown Manizales, about 8 km from La Nubia airport and 2 km from the bus terminal, connected to the center by the Cable Aéreo.
Tip
Take the Corredor Polaco to climb the tower: it offers the most complete view of the city. On exiting, notice the Bolívar Cóndor in the square across the way.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Catedral Basílica de Manizales
Can you go up the cathedral tower?
Yes, via the Corredor Polaco, a guided visit that climbs internal stairs to the viewpoints. Confirm the schedule before going.
Why is the cathedral made of concrete?
It was built starting in 1928, after the wooden cathedral burned down, using reinforced concrete to withstand the region’s earthquakes.
What is the Bolívar Cóndor?
The bronze sculpture by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt in the Plaza de Bolívar, which merges the figure of Bolívar with that of a condor.