Colombia Earthquake Damages Manizales Cathedral, Tallest Church in Country
Early on August 10, at 7:34 am, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 struck western Colombia, with the center located in San José del Palmar, Chocó. This tragic event claimed over 200 lives and injured more than 1,400 individuals, impacting more than 1,600 buildings, especially in cities like Manizales, Pereira, and Cali. The historic Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, built by Julien Polti and finished in 1939, suffered significant damage, including a collapsed side tower. In response, President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national emergency and implemented local curfews. The Colombian Geological Survey recorded over 45 aftershocks, marking this as the strongest earthquake in Colombia this century, felt even in Venezuela and Ecuador.
Key facts
- 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on 10 August
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales suffered collapse of one side tower
- More than 200 people killed, over 1,400 injured, and 1,600 buildings damaged
- Epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó department
- Cathedral built 1928-1939, designed by French architect Julien Polti
- Cathedral is 119 meters tall, tallest church in Colombia
- Declared national monument in 1984
- President Abelardo de la Espriella declared national emergency
- Other churches damaged in Pereira and Cali
- Most powerful earthquake in Colombia this century
Entities
Artists
- Julien Polti
- Adolfo Hoyos Ocampo
- Gonzalo Duque-Escobar
- Luis Fernando Rodríguez Velásquez
Institutions
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary
- Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle
- National University of Colombia
- Colombian Geological Survey
Locations
- Colombia
- Manizales
- Pereira
- Cali
- San José del Palmar
- Chocó
- Venezuela
- Ecuador
- Armenia
- Cartago
- Buenaventura