Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Barquisimeto

Barquisimeto Metropolitan Cathedral Catedral Metropolitana de Barquisimeto
Religion
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
Location
Location	Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Architecture
Architect(s)	Jan Bergkamp
Style	Modern
Completed	1968

Barquisimeto Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Barquisimeto) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. It is one of the most modern cathedrals in Latin America, considered original in style. Designed by Jan Bergkamp, it was his first major project. Its exterior shape is an upside down flower, with a bell tower external to the building. It is located on Avenida Venezuela between Avenida Simón Rodríguez and Calle 30. Considered to be advanced engineering for its time, it was completed in 1968. This unconventionally-shaped cathedral is a hyperbolic paraboloid with two wings connected by a central tower. It required extensive structural precision. The cathedral ceiling consists of acrylic panels supported by a network of steel wires.