Cathedral of Ecuador: the history of construction
Cathedral of Ecuador: the history of construction
Residents of the Republic of Ecuador basically professCatholicism. This is explained historically: the territory in the beginning of the XVI century was conquered by the Spaniards, and on the site of the ancient Indian settlement built the city of San Francisco de Quito, today just Quito, the capital of Ecuador. In 1822 the troops of a neighbor of Colombia defeated the Spaniards, and Simon Bolivar received control of Ecuador. Many transformations began in the country, but they did not touch the religion. In 1892, the construction of the Catholic cathedral began in Quito.
Cathedral in Ecuador, dedicated to Jesus, created inNeo-Gothic style, the largest and most beautiful in Ecuador. he amazes with his greatness, sullenness and severity of forms. It is not typical for local architecture. Many people who come to Quito, mostly Colombians, Venezuelans and Peruvians, look at him with envy and admiration - they have nothing of the kind.
The initiator of the construction of the cathedral at the end of the XIX centurybecame priest Matovelli, who very much wanted to create in Ecuador a cathedral, in size and architecture, resembling a French Catholic temple. But among Ecuadorians there was no suitable architect - the priest's requirements were too overpriced. Then Матовелле has addressed to the French architect Emilio Tarlieu arrived on the occasion to Ecuador with the offer to take part in preparation of the project of a Catholic cathedral.
Tarlie agreed, although he understood that hewill have to face considerable difficulties. He returned to his homeland and began to develop the project, taking as a basis the graceful classical French cathedral of St. Stephen in Bourges. The temple in Bourges was built in the beginning of the XIV century. Tarlie returned to Ecuador and construction began. Funds for the cathedral came in the form of donations from individuals. They were all promised to immortalize their names in the stones that went to the walls. In addition, it was necessary to raise the tax on salt, but, despite all this, the construction of the cathedral moved slowly.
Taking as a basis the French temple, Tarlie increasedthe length of the Ecuadorian Cathedral is 18 meters. Alas, immediately there were problems with the walls of two towers of bells - they needed to be thoroughly strengthened. Increasing the length, Tarlie reduced the width of the cathedral, while raising the height of the bell tower.
Architect Tarlie and priest Matovelle did not livebefore the end of construction work. They did not see what they dreamed of. The temple for worship was consecrated only in 1985. At this event, Pope John Paul II arrived in Quito.
