The cathedral's foundation was laid by architect Juan Bautista Stiehle, who arrived in Cuenca from Germany.
The famous blue domes are covered in glazed ceramic tiles imported from Czechoslovakia.
The cathedral was intended to be larger, but a structural miscalculation regarding the weight of the domes prevented the addition of two planned front towers.
The marble columns inside were sourced from local quarries in the nearby mountains of the Azuay province.
The cathedral houses a crypt where several notable historical figures from the region are buried.
The pipe organ, installed in the 20th century, was one of the largest in the country at the time of its completion.
The Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción, commonly known as the New Cathedral of Cuenca, is characterized by its three massive light-blue tiled domes that dominate the city's skyline. Construction began in 1885 and continued for nearly a century, resulting in a hybrid architectural style that blends Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance influences. The structure is built primarily from brick and local marble, while the floor is paved with imported Carrara marble from Italy. The interior features significant stained-glass windows and a gilded canopy over the main altar inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The cathedral can accommodate approximately 8,000 worshippers, making it one of the largest in Ecuador. It is located directly across from Parque Calderón, the historic center of the city. The roof is accessible to visitors, providing an elevated view of the historic colonial architecture of the surrounding urban grid.
From the opposite corner of Parque Calderón to capture the full scale of the three domes.
Climb the stairs to the roof terrace for the best panoramic view of the cathedral’s domes and the city layout.
Visit the interior during a morning or afternoon service to hear the acoustics of the vaulted ceiling.
Respect the silence if a mass is in progress, as the building remains an active site of worship.
Avoid taking flash photography during religious services; do not climb the stairs to the roof if you have mobility restrictions as the path is narrow and steep.
Maintain a quiet volume; remove hats; modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected.
