---

It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Valley, patron of the province of Catamarca, the Diocese of Añatuya, the Diocese of La Rioja, the cotton growers of the province of Chaco, the Argentine Northwest, national patron of tourism and parachuting.

The dimensions of the central nave are 58.50 m long, 9.65 m wide and 14.65 m high. The High Altar is made of white Carrara marble. The dome culminates 42 m high. On March 28, 1869, an iron cross sent by Dr. Filemón Posse from Córdoba was placed at its peak.



The facade of the basilica cathedral is framed between two towers at its lateral ends. The temple has a main nave and two sides and has several interconnected chapels. The floors were built with solid carob planks, today marble mosaic with geometric decorations.

April 16, 1859, being Vicar Foreign Fr. Luis Gabriel Segura, a contract is signed to build the new Headquarters, with the Italian architects Carlos Tenivella and Natalio Balloca

May 1862, Arq. Tenivella passed away, and as Fray Wenceslao Achával Interim Vicar, the first document was rescinded, signing a 2nd contract with Luis Caravatti, also an Italian builder.

December 4, 1869, even though it was not completely finished, it was inaugurated by Vicar José Facundo Segura, releasing it to acts of public worship.

1875, conclusion.

October 4, 1909, the Bishopric of Catamarca is created, by national law No. 6771

February 5, 1910, Bull of Erection of Saint Pius X, given in Rome, the Mother Church, became the Cathedral Church.













The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Valley is located in the city of San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, capital of the province of Catamarca, Argentina.



It is located on Sarmiento Street between República and San Martín, in front of the Plaza 25 de Mayo, in the center of the city and is the headquarters of the Diocese of Catamarca.





April 5, 1941, on the occasion of the commemoration of the Golden Anniversary of the Coronation of the Sacred Image of the Valley, Pope Pius XII granted the title of ´´Minor Basilica´´ to the Shrine, a request granted by cable. That same year, it was declared a National Historic Landmark.

---