A model for the analysis of large structures, able to reproduce the mechanical degradation of the material and to predict the potential collapse under certain load conditions, is presented. The model is based on the so-called smeared-crack scalar damage model, modified in such a way that it can reproduce localized individual (discrete) cracks. This is achieved by means of a local crack tracking algorithm. The model has been used to analyze the response of the structure of Mallorca Cathedral under gravity and seismic forces. Compared with the traditional smeared cracking approach, the tracking method has shown a better capacity to predict realistic collapsing mechanisms; the resulting damage in the ultimate condition appears localized in individual cracks, which behave similarly to real plastic hinges; the computed ultimate loads become less sensitive to the variation of the tensile strength and other material parameter. approaches considered illustrates the capacity of the crack tracing approach to provide a more realistic simulation of the strength response of masonry historical buildings. 2 TENSION COMPRESION DAMAGE MODEL The model is based on the effective stress concept (σ ), defined as the stress associated to elastic strains ε ; or : = σ D ε , where D is the elastic constitutive tensor. The tensor σ is divided into a positive or tensile part + σ and a negative or compressive part − σ , in the following way: