ARGENTINA
REGIÓN PAMPAS
Buenos Aires Province
BUENOS AIRES
The "South American Sojourn" Trip
Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires
Wednesday September 17th, 2014
The Catedral Metropolitana is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires.
During the definitive foundation of Buenos Aires by Juan de Garay in 1580, part of a block facing the main square was reserved for the major church of the town. This is still the location of the current Cathedral, which is the last building in a series of previous churches that occupied the site.
In 1880, the remains of General José de San Martín were brought from France and placed in a mausoleum, designed by French sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, with marble of various colours. The black sarcophagus is guarded by three life-size female figures that represent Argentina, Chile and Peru, three of the regions freed by the General.
The mausoleum also has the remains of Generals Juan Gregorio de las Heras and Tomás Guido, as well as those of the Unknown Soldier of the Independence.
