It is the oldest cathedral in America . It was consecrated by Pope Julius II in 1504 . Headquarters of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, its construction began in 1512 under the leadership of Bishop Fray García Padilla . The arrival of Bishop Alexander Geraldini in 1519 led to the construction of a temple of greater solemnity , which was decided by the construction of the present church , whose foundation stone was laid in 1521 . In 1523 construction began continuously until its consecration in 1541 . On February 12, 1546 , at the request of Emperor Charles V , Pope Paul III granted the status of Metropolitan Cathedral and Primate of the Indies . In 1920 , Benedict XV appointed Minor Basilica . The construction works were carried out by Luis De Moya including foremen
