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For years the cathedral had been sinking into the soft soil of what was once a lake. Extensive underground engineering efforts have largely stabilized the building. The pendulum suspended from the ceiling tracks the tilt, marking a record on the floor.

This side chapel along the west wall of the cathedral can be easily recognized by the colorful ribbons placed in front of the statue of Saint Ramon. The devout believe that a woman can leave a ribbon inscribed with a personal message and a lock to put a stop to gossip doing the rounds in the village.

Two magnificent pipe organs flank a huge two-level choir loft which has intricately worked stalls. Carved figures of bishops and saints decorate the upper level; ivory figures adorn the center.

Dedicated in 1636, this chapel honors San Felipe de Jesús, the first Mexican Saint. The 17th-century paintings illustrate scenes from his life. The urn on the right side of the chapel contains the remains of Don Agustin de Iturbe, the first Mexican ruler following independence from Spain.

This splendid gold altar, created by Jerónimo de Balbás, stands behind the Doors of Forgiveness, the central entrance to the cathedral from the Zócalo. The doors are open only on special occasions.

This Baroque master­piece by sculptor Jerónimo de Balbás is dedicated to canonized Kings and Queens. The altar has the paint­ings Adoration of the Kings and Assumption of the Virgin both by Juan Rodríguez Juárez.

Sculptures of the three virtues, Faith, Hope, and Charity, adorn the pinnacle of the clock tower designed by Spanish architect Manuel Tolsá and completed in 1813. Tolsá was the cathedral’s final architect, and was responsible for adding many of the details that harmonized and unified the completed design.

The sculpted façade of this parish church, which is attached to the cathedral, is considered to be the foremost example of the Churrigueresque style in Mexico. Built by Spaniard Lorenzo Rodríquez from 1740–68, the interior is in the Moorish style.

Four spectacular masterpieces by Oaxaca painter Miguel Cabrera hang in the vestibules above the cathedral’s side doors.

The oldest chapel in the cathedral, it was completed around 1600. The image of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores in the center of the main altar is by Clemente Terrazas.