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History

The Cathedral of Maldonado (also known as Cathedral of Saint Ferdinand) is a neoclassical building. Construction began in 1801 and was suspended during the English invasions of 1806, a delay that caused completion of the cathedral to take almost a century. 94 years later, in 1895, the cathedral was inaugurated by the Archbishop of Montevideo, Mariano Soler.

It consists of a main nave with two bell towers and a central dome. At the end of the main nave, a cross is formed from two niches containing sculptures on the sides of the High Altar. The magnificent High Altar is the work of Antonio Veiga, who also received two awards during the continental exhibition held in Buenos Aires in 1882.

The altar contains the image of the Virgin of Carmen(Our Lady of Mount Carmel). This belonged to the steamer "City of Santander", which sank near Lobos Island in 1829. The Marquess of Comillas, owner of the damaged steamer, saved it from the shipwreck and donated the now respected image. The image was reproduced as the "City of Santander" by Uruguayan painter Carlos María de Santiago.

To the left of the Altar is a polychrome image of a suffering Christ. It was found perfectly packed in a drawer that washed up on the seashore, without known origin or purpose: no one knows who made it, who it was for, or where it came from.

The Cathedral was declared a National Historic Monument.

Apart from religious services, the cathedral is used for occasional concerts or choral performances.

Since 1966, it took the name of Cathedral for being the seat of the Diocese of Maldonado-Punta del Este, founded by S.S. Paul VI on January 10, 1966. Its first pastor was Antonio Corso (1966-1985), and its current pastor is Rodolfo Wirz (1985-Present).

This Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Ferdinand, patron of the city.