Damage reported at the Cathedral of Holguín after several days of heavy rainfall

The heavy rains in recent days caused damage to the roof of the Catedral de San Isidoro de Holguín, according to a statement published this Monday by the Media Office of the Holguín Diocese, as reported by them.

The damage is specifically concentrated in the area leading to the presbytery and adds to repair work that was already underway on one of the sides of the temple, at the entrance to the chapel of the Virgin of Charity.

To ensure the safety of worshippers and visitors, the temple was internally reorganized during the restoration process.

While the work is ongoing, the celebrations will take place in the central nave, and access to the chapels of the Blessed Sacrament and the Virgin of Charity will be permitted only through the atriums.

The cathedral maintains its usual hours: from Tuesday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., with mass at 8 a.m., and on Sundays with services at 8 and 9:30 a.m., remaining open until noon.

The Cathedral of San Isidoro is an 18th-century construction with a Latin T-shaped layout, featuring Moorish elements in its decoration and original carved wooden ceilings, representative of the Mudejar style, whose origins date back to 1680.

In its archives, there are baptism, marriage, and death records dating back to 1731, making it a primary historical resource for eastern Cuba.

The temple was elevated to a cathedral in 1979 and consecrated as such by Cardinal Camilo Ruini in 1996, solidifying its status as the highest-ranking building in the Diocese of Holguín and a symbol of the local religious and cultural heritage.

The deterioration of Cuba's religious heritage due to weather phenomena is a recurring problem on the island, worsened by the lack of resources for the proper maintenance of historical temples.

In October 2025, the Basilica del Cobre in Santiago de Cuba sustained severe damage after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, with destroyed stained glass windows and a toppled marble statue.

Holguín is one of the provinces most affected by heavy rainfall in Cuba. In November 2023, more than 2,800 homes were damaged due to intense precipitation, and Hurricane Melissa in 2025 also caused severe flooding with communities submerged in the province.

June is historically one of the rainiest months of the year in Holguín, with accumulations close to 266 mm and between 15 and 22 rainy days per month, which makes colonial buildings with wooden roofs and clay tiles particularly vulnerable to this type of damage.