La Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Cuenca
La Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Cuenca
La Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Cuenca
4.5
6:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Monday
6:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Tuesday
6:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Wednesday
6:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Thursday
6:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Friday
6:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Saturday
6:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Sunday
6:30 AM - 1:45 PM
7:00 PM - 8:45 PM
About
This large cathedral (circa 1885) features a series of sky-blue cupolas; the interior contains a magnificent altar and a famous crowned image of the Virgin Mary.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,131 reviews
Excellent
772
Very good
306
Average
44
Poor
7
Terrible
2
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Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5,839 contributions
Feb 2020
Plans for the construction of this large cathedral were made during the rule of Garcia Moreno, a strong believer in a conservative Catholic Ecuadorian state, assassinated in 1875. Garcia Moreno envisaged a country where state and religion were not separated and encouraged many Catholic priests, monks and other clergy from different parts of the world to come to Ecuador. Among them was a German friar/architect named Stiehle. Together with the bishop the plan for a cathedral of gigantic proportions was made. Note that the population of Cuenca at the time was somewhere between 10.000 and 18,000 people.
It took 90 years to realize the megalomaniac project. Only the towers that were envisaged were not completed, but left truncated due to a mistake in the calculations of the architect. It was eventually opened in 1975. Stunning to imagine the (financial) resources that were spent for the construction and for instance not for an efficient mass transportation system, basic education or public health.
It took 90 years to realize the megalomaniac project. Only the towers that were envisaged were not completed, but left truncated due to a mistake in the calculations of the architect. It was eventually opened in 1975. Stunning to imagine the (financial) resources that were spent for the construction and for instance not for an efficient mass transportation system, basic education or public health.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicki E
Illinois593 contributions
Sep 2021
When we were in Cuenca, the church was closed—not sure if it was because of COVID or for another reason—but we were able to climb the tower. We entered the tower at a door on the north side of the building, just at the beginning of the alleyway. $2.
It’s a super cool spiraling walk up with the reward of awesome close-up views of the domes and a birds-eye of the city. Travelling now comes with the HUGE benefit of being in popular touristy places without crowds of people. There were less than 20 other people up on the rooftop with us, so we were able to take in views unimpeded.
Back at the bottom again, we were able to peek through a window into the church itself. Beautiful.
It’s a super cool spiraling walk up with the reward of awesome close-up views of the domes and a birds-eye of the city. Travelling now comes with the HUGE benefit of being in popular touristy places without crowds of people. There were less than 20 other people up on the rooftop with us, so we were able to take in views unimpeded.
Back at the bottom again, we were able to peek through a window into the church itself. Beautiful.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pfefmeister
San Francisco, CA4,373 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is really one beautiful cathedral, especially the blue domes that dominate the central square. Inside, the place is spacious - way bigger than expected. I did not like the TV screens attached to the pillars so the parishioners can see what’s going on at the alter. The largest church in Ecuador, it is magnificent to see.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
galadiel67
Chiavari, Italy3,080 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
If you are looking for a reference to orient yourself in the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca, which has maintained its original appearance despite the modernity it breathes, look up. The blue domes of the New Cathedral (or of the Immaculate Conception) will act as a compass during the day, but also, illuminated, at night.
The Cathedral, which can accommodate up to 8000 people, had a troubled history and its construction lasted almost 100 years (from 1880 to 1975). Read its history and then visit it: together with the Basilica del Voto Nacional in Quito, it is the largest and most attractive sacred building in Ecuador for all the faithful but not only.
Admire the stained glass windows, the altars and then. on one side, climb the towers and the terrace: the view of the city and the domes covered with Czechoslovakian tiles will enchant you.
The Cathedral, which can accommodate up to 8000 people, had a troubled history and its construction lasted almost 100 years (from 1880 to 1975). Read its history and then visit it: together with the Basilica del Voto Nacional in Quito, it is the largest and most attractive sacred building in Ecuador for all the faithful but not only.
Admire the stained glass windows, the altars and then. on one side, climb the towers and the terrace: the view of the city and the domes covered with Czechoslovakian tiles will enchant you.
Written May 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
goodguyjas
London, UK1,218 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Stunning multi domed cathedral with imposing towers and beautiful interior with astonishing ornate decor. The main attraction is the baldachin which forms the four columns that cover the main altar. A massive space inside to worship and to visit. There is also a separate tower ticket to visit multiple floors with stunning views of the square and city. The blue and white domes stand out beautifully against the darkish red brick. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Cuenca, known as the Cathedral of Cuenca or the New Cathedral, is a Catholic religious building that combines several architectural styles, such as Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque. A very popular site in the main square which dominates the whole city.
Written April 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
giovannaBorneo
Lugano, Switzerland832 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
A huge Cathedral, the most important religious monument, one of the most majestic architectural works in the country if not in the whole of Latin America and the most photographed. Begun in 1885, it took almost a century to finish the work on the New Cathedral which has a capacity of 9,000 people, just 1,000 less than the entire population of Cuenca at the beginning of its construction. Different styles are found in the architecture of the Cathedral: Roman, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance. The towers are lower than the initial project, they are unfinished due to a design error, which could have compromised the stability of the entire cathedral, if they had been completed the foundations would not have held up. Admire the details of the doors. The columns that frame the entrance are made of local marble. The giant domes covered with blue and white tiles sent specially from the then Czechoslovakia are magnificent, even more so in the evening when they are illuminated.
The interior, I liked it a little less, is huge. But I admired its beautiful stained glass windows, the magnificent canopy placed above the main altar, it is carved in cedar and completely covered in gold leaf and the pink Carrara marble floor. Climb the towers and the view is stupendous.
Entry is free
The interior, I liked it a little less, is huge. But I admired its beautiful stained glass windows, the magnificent canopy placed above the main altar, it is carved in cedar and completely covered in gold leaf and the pink Carrara marble floor. Climb the towers and the view is stupendous.
Entry is free
Written June 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat K
Diamondhead, MS216 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
This lovely Cathedral can be seen all over the old town of Cuenca. There is an old monastery next to it that now house’s restaurants and shops. It’s a very nice setting and just across the street from a pretty park. I recommend a visit
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isle 'n Sun
Mesa, AZ105 contributions
Dec 2019
Enjoyed going inside, walking around exterior. Just love the neighborhood and park too. Highly recommend. And, I rarely give 5 ratings (remember folks, 5 rating shouldn't be given out like penny candy).
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
banghammer
Jamesburg, NJ30 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
Stunning stained glass. Massive yet warm feeling. A place that requires you take a bit of time, sit down and soak it in.
Written January 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
infolific
Toronto, Canada151 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
I understand this is the largest Catholic church in Ecuador. It is simply stunning incorporating Spanish, Gothic, Baroque elements. You can also pay $2 USD/person to climb the stairs to the dome to have a view from the top. The climb is in a narrow staircase but it's worth the effort. You get a beautiful view of Parque Calderon, an up-close of the blue dome, and the rooftops behind the church. Make sure you have good weather for a clear, photo-worthy climb.
Written January 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Que precio tiene la entrada a la catacumbas, hacen algun tipo de descuento por grupos de estudiantes ?
Written September 9, 2024
Que tiempo me toma hacer el recorrido completo? Saludos
Written July 15, 2018
Recorrer la catedral por dentro, por fuera y subir a las torres truncadas puede tomar una hora y media para que saques unas hermosas fotos con calma
Written November 7, 2019
No creo que tengan una página donde uno se pueda informar de esto, cuando asisti a las 10h00 am habĂa recorridos guiados, y la informaciĂłn la obtuve directamente en boleterĂa, pero lamentablemente las cupulas estaban en mantenimiento asĂ que solo habĂa acceso a la cripta.
Written July 24, 2017
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