Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

fluppe
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
3
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Editor Pick

Basilica de Guadaloupe

  • August 24, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by jphil from New York, New York
Basilica de Guadaloupe

This was the first true stop on the tour I took with Estur – Operadora Mexicana Highlights Tour Company (see separate tour entry). Guadaloupe is Mexico’s patron saint and as the story goes, she performed a miracle for a native man, Juan Diego, and emblazoned her image on the cloth that he was wearing. Ramone, our tour guide, first led us to the gift shop, where he explained the story of Juan Diego and Saint Gaudaloupe.

We then continued on to the central courtyard, where you can see the Old Basilica, the New Basilica, and other chapels. The New Basilica was built to replace the Old Basilica, which is sinking into the ground. The Old Basilica had just reopened after being closed for renovations, so we were lucky enough to get a peak inside. The New Basilica houses the cloak with Gaualoupe’s miracle. It is displayed behind the very ornate, huge pulpit. You can get a better look at the cloak by walking down a hall behind the pulpit that leads you one level down. There is a moving conveyer belt that you can stand on facing the cloak. Photography is allowed.

Behind the two Basilicas is a gorgeous garden that houses a statue of Juan Diego and the Saint Guadaloupe. There are many photo opportunities to be had here. This site is a fascinating stop for some of Mexico’s religious history and culture.

From journal A Quick Trip to Mexico City

Outside the Basilica de Guadelupe

  • November 2, 2002
  • Rated 3 of 5 by fluppe from Roeselare, Belgium
Outside the Basilica de Guadelupe

If you want a picture with the Pope, this was the place to be. On July 31st the Pope would visit this Holy place. That is why as we were there (about one week earlier), you could let them make a picture of yourself together with the Pope (of course this Pope was made of cardboard. There were also other possibilities like sitting on a donkey with a big Mexican Sombrero on your head. Flags were announcing the coming of the Pope. The main reason of the visit of the pope to this Holy Basilica was the canonization of Juan Diego. I don’t know if the Pope was here before. Anyway He already had his statue, next to the old Basilica

From journal Start of the Ruta Maya

Basilica of Guadalupe

  • November 2, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by fluppe from Roeselare, Belgium
Basilica of Guadalupe

This modern Basilica is designed by the same architect who designed the Museo Nacional of Antropologia. Inside this Basilica there is room for 10.000 believers. The interior of this new Basilica is very modern. Personally I do prefer the interior of the Old Basilica as it was something special.

The new Basilica was consecrated in 1976. To prevent jamming near the high altar, from where you can see the coat of Juan Diego, they have constructed a conveyer band, so that the pilgrims slowly pass by the holy Coat. On this coat you can see the portrait of the Virgin of Guadelupe. On the painting (pict 4) you can see Juan Diego with his coat and on the coat reflects the portrait of The Virgin. Note that the Virgin has a dark face.

There are two explanations why over here they call The Holy Virgin Guadelupe. The first version is that the Bishop who did not speak Nahuatl asked Juan Diego if the Virgin had told him her name. Juan Diego answered, "Yes, her name is Santa Maria Coatlaxopeuh (Holy Maria who trampled a snake)." Coatlaxopeuh was corrupted by the Bishop to Guadelupe. More likely the Virgin's name was imported by the Spanish. Most of the Conquistadores were coming from Extramadura, where this Virgin of Guadelupe already was known since 1322, in a village named after her.

From journal Start of the Ruta Maya

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