La Plata Cathedral wins Instagram's 'World Cup of Cathedrals'

The Cathedral of La Plata has been crowned the winner of the inaugural "World Cup of Cathedrals," an online competition organized via the Instagram account @documentales_de_bolsillo. The Chilean audiovisual creator Daniel Katanella launched the event, which garnered significant public participation and engagement.

La Plata's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception achieved a resounding victory, securing 93% of the votes cast by participants. It triumphed over other renowned European cathedrals, including the Cathedral of Florence in the final round and previously eliminating contenders like the Cathedral of Cologne and the Duomo of Milan. The competition highlighted the global appeal and architectural significance of these religious structures.

Katanella explained that his account focuses on creating "mini-documentaries" about various global sites, noting the immense public interest in cathedrals. "People like to give their opinion and feel a strong connection with these buildings, so the idea of the Cathedral World Cup came about, in which sixteen of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world competed," he said.

The overwhelming support from the Argentine public was a key factor in La Plata's win. Katanella remarked on the massive organization and participation, resulting in over 200,000 votes, millions of views, and thousands of comments. These discussions often delved into architectural styles and national pride.

La Plata's Cathedral, a National Historic Monument declared in 1997, holds significant historical and architectural importance. Its foundation stone was laid in 1884, and it was inaugurated in 1932. The cathedral is scheduled to receive a special blessing from Pope Leo XIV during his first visit to Argentina in November.