ArchitectureToluca Cathedral (interior)Toluca

The construction of the Cathedral of San José began on May 12, 1867. Built on what was once the Convent of San Francisco of the 16th century, it emerged as a necessity to revive the spirits of faith after the War of Independence (1810-1821) and the process of Reform (1855-1876), which contributed to the decline of the clergy and a loss of church property.

As a way to provide a modern venue, it adapted to the needs of the parishioners, who until now were forced to gather in a church that was in a very advanced state of deterioration. In 1959, Toluca was elevated to Diocese.

The Cathedral of Toluca has a Latin cross shape and measures 90 meters long by 45 meters wide. Its naves are covered with an arched column shaft and divided by arches. Its dome is supported by four columns of 29 meters and reaches a height of 67 meters.

The building consists of a main nave and two smaller naves on the side. Each aisle has five chapels; starting the tour entering to the left you find the following chapels: Chapel of the Cristo Negro, Chapel of San Isidro Labrador, Chapel of the Santísimo, Chapel of the Virgen del Perpetuo Socorro, and Chapel of the Sagrado Corazón. Beginning the tour going right: Chapel of the Santísima Trinidad, Chapel of San Francisco, Chapel of the Immaculada Concepción, Chapel of the Santo Cura of Ars, and Chapel of the Virgen de Guadalupe.

Leaving this last chapel, you see on the right side of the altar, the façade of the tabernacle, originally called the façade of the Church of San Elseario or the Tercera Orden (Third Order). Consisting of three parts, it dates from 1727 and boasts popular Baroque elements such as columns with plant motifs and images of San Francisco, San Luis Rey, Santa Clara and Santa Isabel of Hungary in the second part and in its upper part an image of the assumption.