How was cast iron used in the Congress building in Caracas and the Church of San Marcos in Arica?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Christopher Columbus: voyages — Latin American architecture The voyages of Christopher Columbus.

In the context of late 19th-century Latin American architecture, cast iron was utilized as both a structural and decorative element in significant buildings:

Congress building in Caracas (1873): Designed by Luciano Urdaneta, this eclectic Neoclassical structure features a large central courtyard. The courtyard is notable for its Corinthian columns, which were manufactured in Philadelphia using cast iron.1
Church of San Marcos in Arica (1875): Located in Chile, this building utilized an elegant cast-iron structure designed by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel.1