Plaza de Cayzedo and Catedral San Pedro
It's Cali's central square, between Carreras 4 and 5 and Calles 11 and 12. You can walk around the square; the Catedral San Pedro has been closed since the August 10, 2026 earthquake.
- Price
- Free (public space)
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 0 to 2 hours
- Address
- Between Carreras 4 and 5 and Calles 11 and 12, Centro (San Pedro), Cali
Plaza de Cayzedo was the colonial Plaza Mayor and served as a public market between 1674 and 1897. In 1813 it was renamed Plaza de la Constitución, and since 1913 it has carried the name of Joaquín de Cayzedo y Cuero, a Cali independence hero whose statue stands in the middle. It covers about 6,500 square meters planted with palm trees.
Around it are three buildings declared national monuments in 1977: the Catedral San Pedro (Calle 11 #5-39), whose neoclassical facade was rebuilt between 1925 and 1935; the Palacio Nacional, in French neoclassical style, built between 1928 and 1933 to a design by Belgian architect Joseph Martens and now home to the courts; and the Edificio Otero, by the firm Borrero y Ospina, on the corner of Calle 12 and Carrera 5.
Status after the earthquake: the Catedral San Pedro was left with damage to its roof, dome and a side wall, and it's closed. The Archdiocese estimates about six months of shoring and then two to three years of work. The Palacio Nacional has restricted use. Carrera 5 and Calle 11 were closed to car traffic around the square in September 2026. Some of San Pedro's Masses have moved to La Ermita, four blocks away.
What to see
- The statue of Joaquín de Cayzedo y Cuero among the palms.
- The facade of the Palacio Nacional, with its dome.
- The Edificio Otero on the corner of Calle 12 and Carrera 5.
- The facade of the Catedral San Pedro, seen from outside while the work goes on.
Getting there
- On foot from La Ermita or the Bulevar del Río, about four blocks.
- MIO: Plaza de Caycedo or Centro stations, on Calle 13 and Carrera 1.
- Taxi to Carrera 5 and Calle 12; because of road closures, you may need to get out a block early.
Tips
- Go during the day and on a weekday; downtown empties out at night.
- Dress simply and keep your phone put away.
- Don't try to go into the cathedral: it's closed and cordoned off for work.
- Combine the visit with La Ermita, the Bulevar del Río and the La Historia de Cali walking tour.
FAQ
Is the Catedral San Pedro open after the earthquake?
No. It's been closed since the August 10, 2026 earthquake because of damage to the dome, roof and a wall. Restoration would take two to three years.
Can you visit Plaza de Cayzedo?
Yes, it's public space. Some surrounding streets were closed to car traffic, so it's best to arrive on foot.
Where are the cathedral's Masses held now?
Some of the services moved to La Ermita church, which is open.
What buildings surround the square?
The Catedral San Pedro, the Palacio Nacional and the Edificio Otero, all three declared national monuments.
On the map
Photos: Joaquinfranke, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Alekow, CC BY 3.0 · Martinduquea, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
