Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, Santo Domingo

Cathedral of Santa María la Menor or Catedral Primada de America, the first in the New World, is the most important monument in Santo Domingo. It was constructed from 1514 to 1546. Its complete translated name is the Holy Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of our Lady Holy Mary of the Incarnation. Constructed in mostly late Gothic architecture, it includes Romanesque characteristics and the main facade was built out of coral rock. The chapels were built later than the main temple, and until 1992 one chapel housed the remains of Christopher Columbus, which are now in the Columbus Lighthouse .