 The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven ( Spanish : <unk> <unk> de la <unk> de la Santísima <unk> María a los <unk> ) is the largest cathedral in the Americas , and seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico . It is situated atop the former Aztec sacred precinct near the <unk> Mayor on the northern side of the Plaza de la <unk> in Downtown Mexico City . The cathedral was built in sections from 1573 to 1813 around the original church that was constructed soon after the Spanish conquest of <unk> , eventually replacing it entirely . Spanish architect Claudio de <unk> planned the construction , drawing inspiration from Gothic cathedrals in Spain . 
