Venture to Parque Colón to find Cárdenas’ main church building, the beautiful Cárdenas Cathedral, which is dedicated to the Holy Virgin of Conception. Outside the church stands what is believed to be the very first statue to honor the world’s most well-known explorer, Cristobal Colón, or Christopher Columbus as he is known in English.
Make your way to the stunning Cárdenas Cathedral, which is officially known as the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción. The cathedral plays an integral role in religious and cultural life in Cárdenas and is the focal point of many religious holidays and events. If you are lucky enough to visit on a holy day, you may witness parades and attend devout services where a palpable sense of reverence pervades.
Before entering, take a moment to properly appreciate the colorful stained-glass windows of the cathedral, a feature for which it is widely noted. The weathered façade is neoclassical in style the cathedral is thought to be the very first building of this architectural style to be built in Cárdenas. The cathedral overlooks Parque Colón, which is itself a famous landmark, especially noted for being where the city was officially founded on March 8, 1828. The cathedral was built shortly afterward in 1846, with the statue of Columbus being erected in 1862.
Join the throngs of visitors who come to get up close to what is believed to be the oldest statue of the explorer in the Western Hemisphere. Take a photo alongside the pensive-looking figure who has a globe at his feet. The statue was crafted by Spanish sculptor Piquier and has become one of Cárdenas’ most notable landmarks.
Cárdenas Cathedral is located in Parque Colón on Avenida Céspedes, which is just five city blocks from the central flagpole. After admiring the cathedral, wander around the tree-dotted park, a popular meeting spot for both tourists and locals. Cárdenas is a small and easily navigable city where horse and carriages and bicycles tootle down the streets and an authentic and relaxed atmosphere prevails.