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Cathedral of St. Christophe
Barcelona and surrounding
Architecture,  Temples, Churches
Architecture, 
Temples, Churches

The Cathedral of St. Christopher (Catedral de San Cristóbal) is a church in the Venezuelan city of Barcelona, known for its exceptional collection. This small cathedral has a special feature: under the main altar is a reliquary with the relics of several Catholic saints.

The cathedral is located in the historic center of Barcelona, ​​the administrative center of Anzoátegui State. The construction of the church dedicated to San Cristóbal (St. Christopher) began in 1748. However, the work lasted longer than it was planned due to the devastating earthquake. It was completed only in 1773 and became the first consecrated church in the region at that time.

The cathedral has a rectangular shape 47 m long and 18 m wide, divided into three naves, and 14 columns and 18 arches support the wooden ceiling. The walls on the north and south sides are decorated with stained glass windows with images of saints.

Apart from the reliquary, there are other valuable and significant details for parishioners and pilgrims. The main altar has the revered miraculous image of Our Lady of Socorro of Barcelona (Virgin Mary of Totumo) - the first religious symbol of the region and the basis of the cult of the Barcelona community.

The image was found in the late XVI or early XVII century in the vicinity of San Cristobal de La Nueva Yoshiha de Los Cumanagotos, in the hollow trunk of a totumo or calabash tree common in South America. A small figurine of Our Lady of Totumo is placed next to San Celestino.

The image of Our Lady of Socorro (which means "help" in Spanish) is associated with many stories of salvation preserved in local chronicles. For example, at the end of the XVII century, a Spanish ship was saved from ruthless and bloodthirsty pirates. Also, in the middle of the XVIII century, Our Lady of Socorro saved a significant part of the Barcelona population from death by healing them from a rare epidemic. The story of the onset of the long-awaited rain after a long drought also belongs to the same period.

Today, the Cathedral of St. Christopher is one of the most significant architectural structures of Anzoátegui State.

Address: Calle Juncal, Barcelona 6001

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Praskovia Ko

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