The original wooden church was destroyed by fire in 1692 during an attack by pirates.
The current structure was reconstructed between 1924 and 1936 by architects Juan Orús Madurell and Paolo Russo.
It replaced the older Mother Church which had occupied the site since the Spanish colonial era.
The cathedral’s design features a mix of Gothic Revival elements with reinforced concrete, a necessity for the region's climate and seismic activity.
The stained glass windows were imported from Europe and feature detailed religious iconography.
The Catedral Católica Metropolitana de Guayaquil is a prominent neo-Gothic structure located in the city's historic center. Originally built as a wooden structure in the mid-16th century, the current concrete cathedral was completed in the mid-20th century. Its distinctive architectural features include twin spires, pointed arches, and intricate stained-glass windows. The interior houses a marble altar and numerous religious icons. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Guayaquil. The cathedral overlooks the Parque Seminario, a public park famous for its population of iguanas.
From the center of Parque Seminario to capture the twin spires framed by the park's lush trees.
Visit the adjacent Parque Seminario immediately after or before to observe the local green iguanas.
Dress conservatively as this is an active place of worship with daily liturgical services.
Be mindful of your belongings when walking in the surrounding downtown streets.
Avoid taking photos during active prayer sessions or mass to respect worshippers.
Shoulders and knees must be covered; maintain silence during mass; do not use flash photography.
