San Jose Cathedral in Posadas

Sacred structures are not just spiritual centers of cities, but also their decorations. The Cathedral of San Jose in the Argentine city of Posadas also corresponds to these criteria.

Catedral de San Jose was consecrated in honor of St. Joseph. It is the main church of the city. This graceful shrine with sharp towers is a true work of architectural art.

The history of the cathedral, as well as the history of the city, was related to soldiers of the Argentine army and a Jesuit mission. The latter one was founded on this territory in 1615 and existed till 1760. Posadas and San Jose Chapel were founded by a military battalion in 1867. With time, an area around the chapel was developing and finally transformed into the city. San Jose remained its patron.

Later, people got an idea to build a larger shrine. The current cathedral is not the first one here. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, city authorities decided to do it and invited the architect Juan Becker. In 1904, he started the construction.

The look of the new three-nave church corresponds to the ancient Roman style. Works, including reconstruction, were finished in 1937. Workers changed the facade and added two new towers. But the proportions of the towers differ from the size of the central nave, so they were rebuilt one more time. The architect Alejandro Bustillo made them higher. 

This temple looks rather modest and simple. It does not have pompous or luxurious features, inherent in many churches of Argentina. It is strict and beautiful by such simplicity. Many visitors experience aesthetic pleasure looking at Catedral de San Jose de Posadas.