Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral stands at Henck Arronstraat 1 in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. It is known locally as the Kathedraal Sint-Petrus-en-Paulus, and it is the largest wooden cathedral in South America.
What to see
The building is made entirely of wood and dates from 1885. Its design is in the neo-Gothic style, and visitors come as much for the craftsmanship of the structure as for its religious role. Standing inside, you can take in the scale of the timber construction and the pointed-arch forms typical of the style.
The visit
- Location: Henck Arronstraat 1, in the centre of Paramaribo.
- Kind of visit: A short architectural stop, best combined with a walk through the city.
- Contact: +597 421-683, if you want to check arrangements before you go.
Around the cathedral
Paramaribo is a compact city, so the cathedral is easy to fold into a longer day of exploring. Its wooden architecture stands out against the surrounding streets, and it makes a fitting first look at the city's colonial-era character. Allow time to walk around the outside as well as to step inside.
