0.9 km from the centre
The wooden cathedral of Paramaribo
The Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Paramaribo, with twin towers of 44 metres, is one of the largest entirely timber church buildings in the western hemisphere. It was consecrated in 1885 and the interior is unpainted cedar.
Check this Opening hours and entry prices in Suriname change without notice. Call or message ahead if you are coming specifically for this.
Outside the cathedral is yellow and blue-grey; inside it is almost entirely bare timber, which lands very differently from the stone churches Europeans are used to. It smells of wood, too.
The building was thoroughly restored between 2008 and 2010 after years closed because of structural risk.
The church is usually open during the day outside services. Dress modestly; it is a working church, not a museum.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Paramaribo cathedral really made entirely of wood?
Yes. The Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral is built wholly in timber, largely cedar, making it one of the largest wooden church buildings in the western hemisphere. The towers stand 44 metres and the building was consecrated in 1885.