CATEDRAL METROPOLITANA DE MANAGUA

Managua's new cathedral, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary, was inaugurated in 1993 to replace the old cathedral (Antigua Catedral de Managua), which had been badly damaged by the 1972 earthquake and was therefore unusable. Designed by Mexican architect Diego Lagorreta, the new cathedral is sure to surprise travellers. Resolutely contemporary, even post-modern in design, it may fascinate or irritate, but in either case, it leaves no one indifferent! It features 63 upper domes (with a window that filters the light and ensures fresh air inside), which conjure up a variety of images for those with a dreamy soul: nipples, grenades, an anti-nuclear shelter, large snowmen flanked by rectangular heads... The construction is said to have cost 4.5 million dollars, which also contributed to the controversy, even if a good portion was financed by a certain Tom Monaghan.... the founder of American restaurant chain Domino's Pizza! Note that unlike most churches in Nicaragua, the structure was built at a north-south angle (churches look west in the land of lakes and volcanoes). Inside, note the famous "Sangre de Cristo", which some say is reminiscent of a Turkish bath. The bell tower houses the bells of the former cathedral. Sunday morning masses at 11 a.m. are huge and well worth a look (at least 2,000 people turn out!).