Basilica of Guadalupe
| Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe | |
|---|---|
| Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe | |
View of the new and the old basilica from the Marian square of the Americas
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| Basic information | |
| Location | Villa de Guadalupe, Mexico City, Mexico |
| Geographic coordinates | 19°29′2.4″N 99°7′1.2″W / 19.484000°N 99.117000°WCoordinates: 19°29′2.4″N 99°7′1.2″W / 19.484000°N 99.117000°W |
| Affiliation | Catholic (Roman Rite) |
| District | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico |
| Year consecrated | 12 October 1976 |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Minor basilica, National Shrine |
| Leadership | Monsignor Enrique Glennie Graue |
| Website | www.virgendeguadalupe.org.mx |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | José Luis Benlliure |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Groundbreaking | 1974 |
| Completed | 1976 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| Height (max) | 42 metres (138 ft) |
| Dome dia. (outer) | 100 metres (330 ft) |
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Spanish: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) is a Roman Catholic church, basilica and National shrine of Mexico in the north of Mexico City. The shrine was built near the hill of Tepeyac where Our Lady of Guadalupe is believed to have appeared to Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. This site is also known as La Villa de Guadalupe or, in a more popular sense, simply La Villa, as it has several churches and related buildings.
The new Basilica houses the original tilma (or cloak) of Juan Diego, which holds the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. One of the most important pilgrimage sites of Catholicism, the basilica is visited by several million people every year, especially around 12 December, Our Lady of Guadalupe's Feast day.
A nearby chapel was built on the sacred site devoted to a temple for Tonantzin (Tanontsin), an important mother goddess, after the Spanish conquerors destroyed the temple.
Pilgrimages have been made to this shrine almost uninterrupted since 1531-32. In the latter year, a shrine had been constructed at the foot of Tepeyac Hill, which served the people for ninety years. It was adapted as part of the parochial sacristy of the new basilica. In 1622 a rich shrine was erected; a newer one, much richer, in 1709. Other structures of the eighteenth century connected with it are a parish church, a convent and church for Capuchin nuns, a well chapel, and a hill chapel. About 1750 the shrine got the title of collegiate, and a canonry and choir service were established. In 1754 it was aggregated to the Basilica of St. John Lateran. In 1904 it was designated as a basilica.
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