Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe 2

Antigua Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Although many travel to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe for religious reasons, the student of architecture and history will equally enjoy a pilgrimage to the holiest of sites in Mexico City. The new basilica, opened in 1987 with a capacity of nearly 40,000. However, the architectural treasure of La Villa de Guadalupe is by far the the Antigua Basílica built around 1700. In the alterpiece, you can see a marble statue of Juan Diego. As you approach the complex from the metro station, it is the old basilica that one first sees. This is the same sight that prilgrims would have experienced after their long journey.

 

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A little of everything is to be found in Mecico City. Check this out! A naked bicycle rally!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22831366

 

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Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

 

Outside the Mexican flag, the most pervasive image found across all of Mexico has to be that of the Virgin Mary or Our Lady of Guadalupe. On my first ever visit across town to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, I came across this image of the Virgin in a lovely baroque structure on the back side of the grounds called the Templo del Pocito. As the story goes, it was on the site where the old basilica was built that Juan Diego first saw the Virgin in 1531. After three subsequent visits by the Virgin, the church finally accepted Juan Diego's accounts. In the mid-18th century, the Virgin was officially declared the patron of Mexico. In the weeks to come, I'll add other images of the Virgin that I have found in my travels around the city.

 

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At the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today's travel took me across town to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Antigua Basilica Built Around 1700

In all my travels to Mexico City, I had never visited this place so important to Mexican Catholics. Although it is just a short subway ride fom the Zocalo, it's not prominently mentioned in tour guides. It is a mix of old and new combined with beautiful gardens and sculptures that well deserves a visit.

Staircase Leading Up to The Hilltop Chapel Where Juan Diego Had His Vision of the Virgin

It is a peaceful place to wander about or just sit and reflect upon one's travels. For centuries, the basilica has been an important pilgrimage site. Pope John Paul II visited here in 2002.

One of Many Beautiful Images of the Virgin

The presence of the Virgin is pervasive throughout the basilica complex.

From the Sculpture Garden

 

I was lucky enough to hear the choir in the new basilica today. Wonderful acoustics made the place seem like it was filled with angles.

Inside the Modern Basilica

 

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