Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

After a 1996 earthquake ruined St. Vibiana's cathedral, Rafael Moneo was asked to design a new church which is located a few blocks away from the original structure. The main point of interest in this building is that the entrance is adjacent to the alter, a reversed plan compared to most cathedrals. Entering from the street and traveling up the steps to the main plaza, the visitor enters the cathedral through two huge bronze doors. A large ambulatory runs down the side of the church, giving the visitor glimpses of the large nave as they pass by a number of small chapels. Reaching the rear of the church, one then enters a large austere space, almost devoid of decoration. Another unique feature is the lack of stained glass. The cathedral is instead lit by thin alabaster stone diffusing the sunlight into a very white light, illuminating most of the spaces.