The Cathedral of America

(official name: Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary of the America's First Ecarnación)

Nothing more needs to be said.  But, it's the oldest cathedral in the Americas.  Consecrated by Pope Julius II in 1504 and head Archdiocese of Santo Domingo.  The construction began in 1512 and was finished in 1541.

And here's the front of the Cathedral..

 

I’ll be honest: churches are easy to photograph, but they can be a bit… well, boring. Unless you’re looking through a Catholic lens, one ornate altar starts to look a lot like the next. Every time I step inside, I can’t help but hear Bill Maher’s voice from Religulous echoing in the back of my mind.

But then I remember where I’m standing.

Whether you’re religious or not, there is something undeniably "damn impressive" about a wall that has stood for five centuries. This is the first church in the Americas. It’s the literal ground zero for an entire hemisphere’s history, and you can feel that weight in the cool, silent air of the stone.

For me, the cathedral serves as the ultimate backdrop for my favorite morning ritual. It looms over Columbus Park, providing the perfect view while I wake up my senses with a couple of cups of Café Americano. There’s just something cool about sipping coffee while staring at 500 years of history before the rest of the city fully stirs.

On that note, the caffeine is calling.

Hasta la próxima vez...