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El Sagrario (Old Cathedral)

Juan Bautista Agui y Mariscal sucre /Plaza Abdon Calderon, Cuenca, Ecuador
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Ranked #4 of 18 attractions in Cuenca
Type: Historic Sites, Religious Sites
Description: Situated on top of some ancient Inca ruins, this cathedral was built in 1557 when modern Cuenca was founded.
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65 reviews from our community

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    3
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montreal
Top Contributor
312 reviews 312 reviews
190 attraction reviews
Reviews in 122 cities Reviews in 122 cities
315 helpful votes 315 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 May 2013

The Old Cathedral is worth a visit and to pay the $2 fee to go inside . It has some interesting relics and provides a lot of information about the history of Cuenca .

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See 8 more reviews by belleretraite for Cuenca
Sugar Land, Texas
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013

It does not have the grandeur of the New Cathedral across Parque Calderon, but its history makes it worth a visit, which costs only $2.

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See 6 more reviews by Bruce H for Cuenca
Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013

I'm not religious, but thoroughly enjoyed visiting the churches in Cuenca. The Old Cathedral is lovely.

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See 6 more reviews by Cathy S for Cuenca
New York City, New York
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013

On a previous visit to Cuenca, I could never find this place open. I got in this time and it was delightful. Piped music was at times very atmospheric, but included Scott Joplin played on glass harmonica. Odd. Some peculiar figures by the altar: life-sized seated Christ and disciples in a semi-circle, sort of like an AA meeting. But some... More

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See 3 more reviews by sparkybuddy for Cuenca
Massachusetts
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 April 2013

Loaded with art and history. Feels like a trip back in time. So peaceful. Though not used for religious services now, you can feel a presence.

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See 6 more reviews by JacksMom413 for Cuenca
Rockhampton, Australia
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 April 2013

Awesome interior. The artefacts and painting are so dated 1500 century period. There is nothing that anyone would dislike.

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See 2 more reviews by Kevin007_13 for Cuenca
Kingsport, Tennessee
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 April 2013

Pales in comparison to New Cathedral. Beautiful carved doors, but very modest compared to New Cathedral. Great location on Parque Calderon. Has been deconsecrated as a church.

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See 5 more reviews by 25HalL for Cuenca
Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 April 2013

I really like the paintings of the Old Cathedral. Outside the cathedral you can take a double floor bus where you can do see the most important places of the city of Cuenca

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See 4 more reviews by Gaby M for Cuenca
Toronto, Canada
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
25 attraction reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 March 2013

This massive structure seems to overwhelm most other buildings in the city and the towers were to have been much higher!!! (Unfortunately they could not be completed as the foundations can support the weight - the structure is in contrast to the old Cathedral which is oacross the square

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See 6 more reviews by DMCraig for Cuenca
Westport, CT
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 March 2013

We loved visiting this beautiful church and taking the tour of the museum It was very informative, and gave us a view into the old city of Cuenca and of the Spanish influence there. Don't miss it. It is memorable.

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See 7 more reviews by nasus06880-1 for Cuenca

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