Praça da Sé was created as part of the modernization reform of the old Largo da Sé. The Largo housed the old Sé Church, of colonial architecture built in the mid-18th century. The old Sé was demolished to make way for the new Gothic-style cathedral. This work was part of the city improvement project initiated at the end of the 19th century, during the term of Antônio Prado.