Basílica de Guadalupe Photos
Recommended Reviews - Basílica de Guadalupe
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It was a great experience to be here for Christmas Eve Mass. The line to even get into the gate was stretched across the street. We didnt even attempt that, and we were able to find a spot that was reasonably close so we could listen to the service from the loudspeakers aka vocinas. There were tons and tons of people. I spoke to this one guy who makes the trek to this very church 3 - 4 times per week. That is serious dedication, as are most Mexicans to their church. The church itself is exquisite, and if you are able to visit here during the off-peak hours, I would highly recommend seeing it. All of the people who we spoke with were also very nice.
This religious site is massive in size with a modern church, 3 other older churches, a multi level outdoor religious garden along with an open plaza about the size of the Zocalo. Masses are said every hour on the hour and last about 40 minutes. Below the modern church is a museum and gift shop that can be toured while Mass is being said. All of the other sights mentioned are open during daylight hours and at no cost. The shrines to Our Lady of Guadalupe are all over the property. At the top of the multi level outdoor garden sits another church in her honor. It's a strenuous climb up there. There are gift shops that also sell bottled water along with a simple food court area. Outside of the complex, there are poor food options nearby.
This is one of the must visit points of CDMX and it definitely didn't disappoint. The building from the outside can be spotted in so many places including while sitting on the Cablebus so I was excited to finally go there. Here are some thoughts on the experience: - Although the outside is not very intricate, the inside of the building was absolutely beautiful as there roof in itself is already splendid. It was amazing how many seats surround this gigantic stage. - When we were there, there was also a wedding procession going alongside mass which I thought was great. I know this was not the intention of many people who were there but I really appreciate that it felt like they were all there to give well wishes to the newlyweds. It was a very beautiful thing to witness. - The back of the church is splendid as well as you can climb to a pretty high point and take in all the views of CDMX. Along the way there are various water structures and gardens that make it all the more beautiful. - I appreciate that the amount of people who are flowing through the place is quite rapid which allows you to never really be stuck as you are with a lot of large attractions. There's always space for you to move around and look at whatever you'd like to see. Overall highly recommend visiting Basilica de Guadalupe, I had a great time!
Okay, I was in CDMX in May 2023. I was with a group and when the group had some free time a couple went to visit this place. I knew nothing about it at the time and did not know too much later other than they enjoyed the opportunity to go there being the second most visited Catholic shrine in the world after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. So, being back in CDMX in October with a lot more time not being in a group event I thought this would be an interesting thing to see in person. Pretty much a big church I thought. However, when the guide that took me started telling of the story of Juan Diego who is said to have been granted apparitions of the Virgin Mary on four occasions in December 1531 I was thinking, "What? Is this real?" Well, it turned into a story that is too much to write about in detail here but in the end as proof of his encounter he brought back roses that were not supposed to be in season at all. On top of that, he unfurled the shroud carrying the roses before the bishop, and it was not only filled with the roses but also was miraculously imprinted with the likeness of the virgin herself. Okay, interesting story... but the shroud is actually here, and you can see it? Turns out not only can you see it relatively close up, but the place is designed in such a way that you can see it from below even with a mass being said with the way the place is designed. I was stunned at taking this all in since I knew absolutely nothing about the story previously, and now I wonder if the people that visited in May even got a chance to take all of this in. Another fact that is simply too much to attempt to put in this review is the fact that all the churches that are here have survived in one way or another. Yes, you can see the small area where the shroud was first displayed dating back to the 1500s and everything in between. You could spend all day here and still not be able to take everything in. Believe in it or not. Catholic or not. It doesn't matter. Come here and connect with a history that runs deep enough to make you feel different as you walk around attempting to take everything in.
The Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe, officially known as the Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in English), is a Catholic basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her title as Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is situated at the foot of the Hill of Tepeyac in the Gustavo A. Madero borough of Mexico City. The basilica is part of the Primate Archdiocese of Mexico under the Guadalupana Vicariate. Since November 4, 2018, Monsignor Efraín Hernández Díaz has served as the general and episcopal vicar of Guadalupe and the basilica's abbot. The church known as the Old Basilica of Guadalupe was designed by architect Pedro de Arrieta, with construction beginning in March 1695. It officially opened on May 1, 1709, with a solemn novena. In 1749, it was designated a collegiate church, meaning it had its own chapter and an abbot, though it was not a cathedral. Its freestanding portal resembles a screen, and the four octagonal towers at its corners, topped with Talavera yellow and blue mosaics (similar to those on the transept dome), symbolize the New Jerusalem mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Rev 21:18). In the early 19th century, construction of the nearby Capuchine Convent caused significant damage to the church's walls and vaults, prompting restoration efforts. During these repairs, the sanctuary was redecorated in Neoclassical style, replacing the original Baroque design. Work began around 1804 and was completed in 1836, though it was paused between 1810 and 1822 due to the War of Independence. Agustín Paz designed the restoration, which was carried out by Neoclassical architect Manuel Tolsá. In 1904, the church was elevated to the rank of basilica. On November 14, 1921, shortly after the Mexican Revolution and just before the Cristero War, a bomb hidden inside a flower arrangement exploded at the main altar. The bomb, planted by Luciano Perez Carpio, an employee of the Private Secretariat of the Presidency, damaged the altar steps and some stained glass windows. However, the original image of the Virgin remained unharmed, with a nearby crucifix bending and allegedly shielding the image. As part of the repairs, the image was raised one meter higher. After this incident, the image was temporarily replaced by a faithful copy and was not restored to its altar until 1929.
Great! Peaceful! Magestic! And very congested with tourists! Don't forget, this is a church that does hold regular mass. It still requires visitors to practice respect toward the Catholic faith. This is a large property with two churches and the hill of Tepeyac. Make sure to take your time and stop and visit everything. Don't feel intimidated with the stairs leading to El Cerro de Tepeyac, where Juan Diego saw the virgin mother. Once you get there, they have a souvenir section, a cemetery, which I didn't get to see due to it being closed. You will also visit a small chapel. The chapel is where Virgin Mary tilma used to be. You'll find a souvenir shop and some street food vendors. From there, you can also take in a spectacular view of the city. Definitely well worth the short 15 minutes of steps up. The historic old chapel is also worth seeing, as it is gradually sinking. Its architecture is breathtaking.
This was another must during my Mexico City visit. I only had one hour to roam around and so I knew I had to move quickly. I had no idea how massive this place was. You have to do a lot of walking and going up and down stairs. It was packed on the day we stopped by and it was pretty hectic with tourists. The Basilica itself is big and they had a quincenera going on at the time. The famous Virgin Mary portrait is located on one of the walls that has a moving floor underneath. This so people are constantly moving and not in the way.. It was very peaceful inside and there is plenty of seating. The outside courtyard is huge and there are many gift shops around. Prices are very reasonable at the gift shops. The Tepeyac hill is such a workout but so worth it at the end. The church on that hill was breathtaking and the inside was sooo pretty. I had never seen anything like it. There is such a peaceful feeling that you experience while you are up there. Overall it was a great short visit. Be prepared to do a lot of walking!
Very interesting place to visit. Not to miss. During our visit, there are many pilgrims on the site. Some is to payback the prayer answered, some to baptism of children, some to join the service, some to request a prayer. The compound is really big. It need minimum 2.5 hours to complete. The compound includes the big square for the event. Many church and chapel include the old chapel of the Guadalupe, the basilica, the garden and more. The place is famous due to Indian acceptances of Guadalupe and make the clothing of it. The original of this clothing still keep in the basilica. You can can a closer look by going below the main altar of the basilica. This item becomes their holy relic. We witness some pilgrims kneeling and walk to the basilica for requests a difficult prayer. The chapel has many silver made pieces with the prayer answered.
To be honest, Basílica de Guadalupe was not originally my list of places to visit when I was vacationing in Mexico City last month and almost missed it (it just wasn't on our radar when we were planning our trip). But luckily a friend of mine (who is a local) had suggested meeting here and am glad that she had. And because she actually went to the private all girl Catholic school many years ago (she told me that private schools of one gender is no longer allowed in Mexico) that is right behind the old basilica, she knew this place very well and gave us a fabulous and well informed tour. For those of you unfamiliar with the history, Juan Diego, an Indigenous Native America, who was poor, had seen a vision of the Virgin Mary. She actually appeared to him 4 times. She had told him to tell the priest to build a church in her honor on Tepeyac Hill (where she appeared to him). The priest did not believe Juan Diego and so he asked for him to show proof of the Virgin Mary, in which she had given him roses to bring to the priest. What is very unique about this is that these roses normally do not grow during that specific season and is also not native to Mexico. Also on his tilma (or cloak) had an image of the Virgin Mary that appeared. The image was not painted or printed on. Religious leaders see this as a miracle. But also what is miraculous is that the tilma has survived a nitric acid spill and also a bomb blast in 1921 that destroyed the alter but somehow the cloth was spared and left untouched/ undamaged. So there is both an old basílica and a new basílica that you can visit (which is free). The old basílica is the original church that was built in honor of the Virgin Mary. Construction began in 1531 and finished in 1709. This was the original place of where the tilma was hung for display. But because most of Mexico City was built on an emptied lakebed, the ground is sinking, which has caused for uneven ground/ structure that has caused for the building to be tilted. So when you walk inside here, you will notice the shift, so be careful if you decide to walk up to the alter and sit in one of the pews in the front. Because of this, the tilma was moved to the new basillica. Please note that it is safe to enter the building. This old basillica was closed to the public in 1974 (and reopened in 2000) so that it could be constructed on so that it could be safe for the public. The new basillica is large and very round, looks like a stadium. This was built in 1974 and was completed in 1976. Pedro Ramirez Vasquez was the architect of this beautiful sanctuary. What is really amazing and thoughtful about this sanctuary and shape is that no matter where you sit, you have a view of the tilma at the alter. Church services occur every hour and last about 40 minutes for those that are interested in attending. If you wish to get a closer view of the tilma, you can walk down to the viewing area and look up to see it. Nearby this area is also the gift shop in which you can purchase prayer cards, holy water, etc. but you can also purchase religious souvenirs at other places throughout the grounds. There are also other points of interests to walk to on the grounds here but I just wanted to highlight these 2 main sanctuaries. My husband, our friend and I were here for about 3 hours, as we walked everywhere and really took our time to see everything. If you wish to view nearly everything, make sure you bring some sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Please note that there are bathrooms but require a small fee. I did not use them but I did see a sign for $10 MXN but there are also bathrooms right before entering the grounds here but did not use them and so I am unsure of the price. Overall, we had a wonderful visit and am really glad our friend had suggested it. I think if we came without her, we would not have know as much and would not have appreciated this site as much either. read more
5 months ago
Part of our city tour, Basilica is in city center and a popular tourist destination on Saturday. This church is the most visited in the Catholic universe next to the Vatican. It is a combination of new and old architecture. The entire complex is open and walkable. View of the city is available at the top view. We walked and explored for about an hour. There are plenty of street vendors and gift shops outside the gates to peruse also. Please come and create your own adventure. read more
It was a great experience to be here for Christmas Eve Mass. The line to even get into the gate was stretched across the street. We didnt even attempt that, and we were able to find a spot that was reasonably close so we could listen to the service from the loudspeakers aka vocinas. There were tons and tons of people. I spoke to this one guy who makes the trek to this very church 3 - 4 times per week. That is serious dedication, as are most Mexicans to their church. The church itself is exquisite, and if you are able to visit here during the off-peak hours, I would highly recommend seeing it. All of the people who we spoke with were also very nice. read more
6 months ago
This religious site is massive in size with a modern church, 3 other older churches, a multi level outdoor religious garden along with an open plaza about the size of the Zocalo. Masses are said every hour on the hour and last about 40 minutes. Below the modern church is a museum and gift shop that can be toured while Mass is being said. All of the other sights mentioned are open during daylight hours and at no cost. The shrines to Our Lady of Guadalupe are all over the property. At the top of the multi level outdoor garden sits another church in her honor. It's a strenuous climb up there. There are gift shops that also sell bottled water along with a simple food court area. Outside of the complex, there are poor food options nearby. read more
1 year ago
This is one of the must visit points of CDMX and it definitely didn't disappoint. The building from the outside can be spotted in so many places including while sitting on the Cablebus so I was excited to finally go there. Here are some thoughts on the experience: - Although the outside is not very intricate, the inside of the building was absolutely beautiful as there roof in itself is already splendid. It was amazing how many seats surround this gigantic stage. - When we were there, there was also a wedding procession going alongside mass which I thought was great. I know this was not the intention of many people who were there but I really appreciate that it felt like they were all there to give well wishes to the newlyweds. It was a very beautiful thing to witness. - The back of the church is splendid as well as you can climb to a pretty high point and take in all the views of CDMX. Along the way there are various water structures and gardens that make it all the more beautiful. - I appreciate that the amount of people who are flowing through the place is quite rapid which allows you to never really be stuck as you are with a lot of large attractions. There's always space for you to move around and look at whatever you'd like to see. Overall highly recommend visiting Basilica de Guadalupe, I had a great time! read more
1 year ago
Very gorgeous structures. Walking around takes about 30 minutes giving respect to each building and church. Prayed and gave hope por esta hermosa vida. Also has an amazing view throughout Mexico City. Bonita! read more
Okay, I was in CDMX in May 2023. I was with a group and when the group had some free time a couple went to visit this place. I knew nothing about it at the time and did not know too much later other than they enjoyed the opportunity to go there being the second most visited Catholic shrine in the world after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. So, being back in CDMX in October with a lot more time not being in a group event I thought this would be an interesting thing to see in person. Pretty much a big church I thought. However, when the guide that took me started telling of the story of Juan Diego who is said to have been granted apparitions of the Virgin Mary on four occasions in December 1531 I was thinking, "What? Is this real?" Well, it turned into a story that is too much to write about in detail here but in the end as proof of his encounter he brought back roses that were not supposed to be in season at all. On top of that, he unfurled the shroud carrying the roses before the bishop, and it was not only filled with the roses but also was miraculously imprinted with the likeness of the virgin herself. Okay, interesting story... but the shroud is actually here, and you can see it? Turns out not only can you see it relatively close up, but the place is designed in such a way that you can see it from below even with a mass being said with the way the place is designed. I was stunned at taking this all in since I knew absolutely nothing about the story previously, and now I wonder if the people that visited in May even got a chance to take all of this in. Another fact that is simply too much to attempt to put in this review is the fact that all the churches that are here have survived in one way or another. Yes, you can see the small area where the shroud was first displayed dating back to the 1500s and everything in between. You could spend all day here and still not be able to take everything in. Believe in it or not. Catholic or not. It doesn't matter. Come here and connect with a history that runs deep enough to make you feel different as you walk around attempting to take everything in. read more
2 years ago
The Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe, officially known as the Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in English), is a Catholic basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her title as Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is situated at the foot of the Hill of Tepeyac in the Gustavo A. Madero borough of Mexico City. The basilica is part of the Primate Archdiocese of Mexico under the Guadalupana Vicariate. Since November 4, 2018, Monsignor Efraín Hernández Díaz has served as the general and episcopal vicar of Guadalupe and the basilica's abbot. The church known as the Old Basilica of Guadalupe was designed by architect Pedro de Arrieta, with construction beginning in March 1695. It officially opened on May 1, 1709, with a solemn novena. In 1749, it was designated a collegiate church, meaning it had its own chapter and an abbot, though it was not a cathedral. Its freestanding portal resembles a screen, and the four octagonal towers at its corners, topped with Talavera yellow and blue mosaics (similar to those on the transept dome), symbolize the New Jerusalem mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Rev 21:18). In the early 19th century, construction of the nearby Capuchine Convent caused significant damage to the church's walls and vaults, prompting restoration efforts. During these repairs, the sanctuary was redecorated in Neoclassical style, replacing the original Baroque design. Work began around 1804 and was completed in 1836, though it was paused between 1810 and 1822 due to the War of Independence. Agustín Paz designed the restoration, which was carried out by Neoclassical architect Manuel Tolsá. In 1904, the church was elevated to the rank of basilica. On November 14, 1921, shortly after the Mexican Revolution and just before the Cristero War, a bomb hidden inside a flower arrangement exploded at the main altar. The bomb, planted by Luciano Perez Carpio, an employee of the Private Secretariat of the Presidency, damaged the altar steps and some stained glass windows. However, the original image of the Virgin remained unharmed, with a nearby crucifix bending and allegedly shielding the image. As part of the repairs, the image was raised one meter higher. After this incident, the image was temporarily replaced by a faithful copy and was not restored to its altar until 1929. read more
2 years ago
Un lugar bello que te toca la alma. Disfruta la Santa Misa y belleza religiosa. Puedes comprar objetos religiosos y el padre te los bendice en misa en oración or afuera con agua. read more
Great! Peaceful! Magestic! And very congested with tourists! Don't forget, this is a church that does hold regular mass. It still requires visitors to practice respect toward the Catholic faith. This is a large property with two churches and the hill of Tepeyac. Make sure to take your time and stop and visit everything. Don't feel intimidated with the stairs leading to El Cerro de Tepeyac, where Juan Diego saw the virgin mother. Once you get there, they have a souvenir section, a cemetery, which I didn't get to see due to it being closed. You will also visit a small chapel. The chapel is where Virgin Mary tilma used to be. You'll find a souvenir shop and some street food vendors. From there, you can also take in a spectacular view of the city. Definitely well worth the short 15 minutes of steps up. The historic old chapel is also worth seeing, as it is gradually sinking. Its architecture is breathtaking. read more
3 years ago
This was another must during my Mexico City visit. I only had one hour to roam around and so I knew I had to move quickly. I had no idea how massive this place was. You have to do a lot of walking and going up and down stairs. It was packed on the day we stopped by and it was pretty hectic with tourists. The Basilica itself is big and they had a quincenera going on at the time. The famous Virgin Mary portrait is located on one of the walls that has a moving floor underneath. This so people are constantly moving and not in the way.. It was very peaceful inside and there is plenty of seating. The outside courtyard is huge and there are many gift shops around. Prices are very reasonable at the gift shops. The Tepeyac hill is such a workout but so worth it at the end. The church on that hill was breathtaking and the inside was sooo pretty. I had never seen anything like it. There is such a peaceful feeling that you experience while you are up there. Overall it was a great short visit. Be prepared to do a lot of walking! read more
Very interesting place to visit. Not to miss. During our visit, there are many pilgrims on the site. Some is to payback the prayer answered, some to baptism of children, some to join the service, some to request a prayer. The compound is really big. It need minimum 2.5 hours to complete. The compound includes the big square for the event. Many church and chapel include the old chapel of the Guadalupe, the basilica, the garden and more. The place is famous due to Indian acceptances of Guadalupe and make the clothing of it. The original of this clothing still keep in the basilica. You can can a closer look by going below the main altar of the basilica. This item becomes their holy relic. We witness some pilgrims kneeling and walk to the basilica for requests a difficult prayer. The chapel has many silver made pieces with the prayer answered. read more
Honestamente, esto se sintió como cualquier otra iglesia para mí. Es grande, con muchos asientos adentro, pero la pintura de la Virgen de Guadalupe era honestamente más pequeña de lo que pensé que sería, y realmente no me gustó que en todos los lugares dentro de la iglesia, había cajas pidiendo donaciones de dinero. Esta iglesia gana MUCHO dinero y, sinceramente, me parece codicioso. El pastor aquí también estaba predicando el odio sobre la comunidad LBGT, que no es lo que hizo Cristo... la única parte de este lugar que disfruté y con la que me sentí conectado fue afuera, donde puedes comprar y encender una vela para un ser querido. y que puedes dejar un regalo para un ser querido en un buzón (lamentablemente, estoy seguro de que los tiran). This honestly felt like any other church to me. It is big with tons of seating inside, but the painting of Virgen de Guadalupe was honestly smaller than I thought it would be, and I really did not like that everywhere you went inside the church, they had boxes asking for money donations. This church makes SO MUCH money and honestly it feels greedy to me. The pastor here was also preaching hate about the LBGT community which is not what Christ did... the only part of this place that I enjoyed and felt connected to was outside of it where you can buy and light a candle for a loved one, and that you can leave a gift for a loved one in a drop box (sadly, I'm sure they throw them away though). read more
La Basilica de Guadalupe is so beautiful and a must-go to location when visiting Mexico City... I have been going to La Basilica ever since I was a child, and continue to go back whenever I'm in Mexico City... La Basilica de Guadalupe is a historic landmark in Mexico city, even if you are not religious it's a great place to go and enjoy the architecture and beautiful green gardens... There are several churches and temples located on this property and each one has a different story to tell... They offer services at the main church located at the bottom... They are letting people go into the churches again but you must wear a mask and the number of people is still limited due to Covid... If you do plan on going to visit the Basilica I recommend planning to spend at least 2 hours if you want to do everything, the main church at the bottom has the virgin Mary in the bottom behind the alter that you can see which is beautiful, you can also make your way to the temples at the top of the mountain for a spectacular view... There are alot of vendors on the property that sell food and souvenirs, there is also alot of vendors outside the church that are cheaper than inside, I usually buy souvenirs outside and take them with me to get blessed inside with holy water and I always buy a candle to leave for the virgin Mary to say Thank you for all her blessings... The churches and property are very well maintained and clean, they don't let you touch somethings and ask you don't sit on walls to help preserve things since everything is so old.. I absolutely love love love it here, I think it is so peaceful and beautiful to just walk around and see how different all the churchs are, and it still amazes me to see how the oldest church keeps stinking more everytime I visit... I highly recommend adding this to your bucket list of places to visit in Mexico City... read more
2 years ago
This is the church where the Lady of Guadalupe is displayed and in the area where the tale is told she first appeared. There are many shops leading up to the church and once you walk in it is beautiful and huge. Right as we sat down mass had started and we stayed for a few minutes before venturing off to get more views. While inside the church you can go below The lady of Guadalupe and there's electric walkers that lets you get close to take nice pictures. In the same area you will find a shop with lots of souvenirs and right outside there is a priest who can bless you and your souvenirs. I thought that was really cool and there might be long lines but it's quick. I would highly recommend you come visit this beautiful church, it's such a staple in Mexico City. read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
This place BLEW ME AWAY with its gorgeous natural beauty. Because of COVID-19 precautions are in place but everything is open and operating in the area. It's a beautiful campus of worship where the virgin was said to have first appeared and because of that everything is dedicated to her and the story of her appearances. You have to walk a lot in order to get to know the entire area but it is definitely worth it so bring comfortable shoes. Be aware of what you buy on the street and just be aware of your surroundings because of how populated the area is. In general every building is worth the visit because of its historical meaning and because of how beautiful the vegetation is here! Completely blown away completely recommend! read more
3 years ago
A great place to visit while in Mexico City. We went there around 10am on a Sunday and was not overly crowded. Would also recommend visiting the museum while you're there. read more
4 years ago
Believers or not, if you are in Mexico City, this is an iconic historical location to visit. It is the deep history of Mexico in all its culture and people are engraved in this location, because Mexico is a highly Catholic country...a must must visit! There is small museum around the area that holds the Pope John Paul II artifacts from his visit to Mexico City, it is fabulous. The gardens are beautiful and there are other little historical chapels around, as well as a type of market with food and souvenirs. Bring a hat and plenty of water, as it is hot to walk up the many stairs to see the cemetery where Juan Diego lays to rest. I highly recommend it! read more
The architecture is stunning here, both the older church sanctuary and the newer modern one. This is primarily a "pilgrimage"church due to the original cape with the magical imprint of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The old basilica dates to the early 1700s, but has proven to be somewhat structurally unstable (most of Mexico City is built on a dried lakebed, and the building is sinking). It was recently reinforced structurally and is once again open to the public. A newer structure from 1974 houses the actual cape with the Virgin's imprint. As one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world (22 million annually!), the church is quite busy. It contains the cape that was magically imprinted in 1531 with an image of the Virgin Mary. This image has become the patron saint of Mexico as the Virgin of Guadalupe. Mary appeared to a priest named Juan Diego, who has since been canonized as the first Mexican saint. Conveniently, the virgin's image has the skin tone and features of the original Aztec population, which probably helped convert everyone to Catholicism. The crowds come to see the cloak, but this is also a functioning church. You'll see a number of people approaching the miraculous cloak on their knees and sometimes crawling on all fours. There's a jarring moment when the folks on their knees hit the modern moving sidewalk that efficiently moves everyone past the cloak, which is mounted on the back wall in the modern structure. The one drawback here, as with most big-time shrines in the world, is the crass commercialization, and potential exploitation. Even inside the compound, the priests and other staff seem to be focused on the pesos, with everything for sale imaginable. It was also slightly disturbing to see the number of physically infirm people that the staff allowed to crawl or approach on hands and knees. read more
05/19/2018 I don't know which to write first, the museo or this one. Just walking the grounds seeing this entire place is a huge museum. There are seven churches and each has its own significance. Under the Spanish rule, I think they have messed up a lot of things in this country. Oppression if they cannot convert the masses and just robbing them blind. The first church that we visit and it has to be at the very top of the hill. Certainly a good hike up the stairs. The view does make for beautiful pictures with different stops at each turn. There are these donkeys and other props you could pay to take pictures like a scene. Machines to turn your shiny peso into those souvenirs. Light a candle and say a prayer as many people already have done. What is really intriguing are the churches that seem to be tilted like the building got hit by a pinball. These churches are actually sinking at a very slow rate. Entrance to one is like going into a fun house. Standing facing the alter, you can feel a significant incline. Just marveling at the architecture and the beauty of the stained glass windows. Sitting in these pews I can just feel the history. Probably millions have filled these seats during service over hundreds of years, at least. This is one place I would like to come back and see again. read more
I knew I had to visit the Basilica de Guadalupe in my first time in Mexico City. What a beautiful sanctuary! There is the main basilica, where mass was being held. Lots of fresh flowers, international flags, locals praying, and tourists milled about. I sat in a pew and soaked it all in. The ambiance was very peaceful and made me reflect on life. The architecture of the space was made with exquisite detail and prowess. There is also a gift shop that has many different types of souvenirs- rosaries, necklaces, frames, jewelry, plates, bells. In the adjacent church, we witnessed a wedding, which was very beautiful. We also were lucky enough to listen to a mariachi band playing outside in the rain. There's a big plaza outside, where a religious dance was taking place. It's definitely worth stopping by after coming from the pyramids! read more
As someone raised without a lick of religion I'm amazed at the visuals which still fill my mind: There's a small series of airport-style people-movers that shuttle you past a framed image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. No lingering. You'll snap a photo and learn later that you've just viewed the actual cloak which bears the image of the Virgin and on which she appeared. It was this apparition which served as proof that she had made this request, that the church be erected here. Whether you believe all of this is up to you but I was impressed that anyone would have the chutzpah to think they could pull off a hoax of this magnitude so yeah, I guess I believe. Worshippers come from afar, to make their way to the main chapel on their knees. Out in the square, where overflow services for thousands are held, those who were grateful for god-knows-what crawled slowly and painfully along, stopping frequently. I wondered how far they'd come from, on their knees. My companion wondered what they were atoning for. I explained that confessional is where the atoning happens; these people were giving thanks. It was sort of an amazing sight, the likes of which I've never before seen. After touring the site and getting the story from our guide, we stepped back down into the underground parking lot which is surrounded by a multitude of shops hawking amazing Catholic tchotchkes. En route, my guide had asked if I was religious (not one iota) and when he left me here while he paid for parking he jokingly implored me "don't buy too much". Still, Madonna has been an influence. He stopped me before I left laden with armloads of rosaries and a family of dashboard Jesus'. Sometimes you need to be saved. If I'd not had a tour of this place I'd not have had a clue what I was looking at but I did and boy, it was interesting. I don't really have the religious vocabulary with which to describe it (obvious, when you read everything above) but I was most interested to learn the story of this place and understand that it is second only to the Vatican in worshippers. Does that make sense? You might have a tour to the pyramids of Teotihuacan and your tour guide might offer a second stop at the Basilica de Guadalupe. Whether you're religious or not, learn the story, and don't miss this place. Very impressive and made even more so if you're given the opportunity to learn a bit about what you're seeing. read more
Basilica de Guadalupe is one of the bigger church in Mexico City. Definitely a tourist place. There is the real Basilica de Guadalupe painting inside the church. The one in the Museum of Anthropology is fake. This place is like a plaza. There are lots of architect and artwork to see here. Other than the big giant round circle look a like building church, there are two other smaller church. Its pretty nice to be in this plaza. Nice artwork. I came with the tour guide so she explained the story behind Basilica de Guadalupe. Nice place to visit. read more
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a beautiful collection of churches all in the same space. There are beautiful gardens here and stunning paintings. It is crazy to think the cathedral here may not last much longer with how it is sinking. You can't go into the cathedral right next to the Basilica for safety reasons. I was glad I visited. read more
10 years ago
A very popular church visited by locals and tourists in Mexico City. Except for the commercialized act of blessing religious artifacts, which was a bit disappointing for a person raised as a Catholic, I still think it's worth the visit. Seeing the original image of the Guadalupe left me at awe. The place was crowded. But I understand that it's a main tourist attraction. Even though it is a place of worship, it's hard to keep a solemn atmosphere with the number of visitors and/or parishioners. If not for the heat, I would have ventured going up the shrine. But I didn't dare with our two toddlers on hand. I wouldn't have been able to survive the hike up and down. So we contented ourselves with just snapshots of the steps and observing the crowd. It is worth the visit. You just have to look past the commercialism that is prominently displayed around the area. read more
8 years ago
I just love this place. I have been here a few times over the years and it is always a nice place to see. I came here for the first time in 2012 when dating my now wife. I wasn't Catholic at the time so now when I visited this last trip it had a whole new meaning. We made it a point to attend a mass while in town. They have mass hourly with communion. They have several confessionals available also. This is a historic gem that is simply an amazing place to visit. No matter your religious choice this is a beautiful place to see. The grounds offer some amazing views of the city. They have a couple of shops that contain religious items. read more
Bring coins! Last night we are at this AWFUL American establishment (Hooters) which made me very sick so I had to use the baño several times. Thank God I had coins. I've never prayed in a public baño before. This was a first. Jesus was truely punishing me for gawking at the Mexican waitresses.....lesson learned JC.....leasson learned. Anyway the church itself was beautiful. Even if you don't speak Spanish or you're not very religious you should still appreciate this mass. The beauty of the church itself will amazing you. The gift shop downstairs sells all kinds of merchandise. Make sure to get it blessed. Outside there's a priest throwing holy water and blessing people and stuff they just bought. You can't miss him. He's on an alter/stage to the left of the main square. Find him. Toilet paper was 1 peso. Entrance to the baño was 5 or 10 pesos. I can't remember because I was trying to shove coins as fast as humanly possible. Worth a visit! read more
A gorgeous church that of course I was pressured to attend because of my traveling party's religious affiliations (board membership of our school's Catholic club but I digress). The nature of our travel was a little bit risky as we were to carry our bags with us to take a bus to get to Leon. Of course, we were more than willing to believe that churchgoers would not try to steal from us. Otherwise, God would punish them! Even though I am a Buddhist, I find myself captivated by the rich architecture of the church. It makes me wonder how much of those church donations did it take to really build up this place. (A whole lot I'm guessing!) And if I were a Catholic, if I were to pray I would love to do it here. The place is able to seat hundreds of people. As Mexico is very Catholic, I wonder how many people go through the church in one day. Of note, a little girl kept staring at me as I am visibly Asian, and it wasn't until I saw that her backpack had a picture of Korean boy band BTS on it did I realize why. I'm BTS now. read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
One of the more architecturally impressive collection of buildings I've seen. Religiously important for the history behind the story of La Virgen de Guadalupe and her reported apparitions that led to the construction of the original church at the top of the hill. read more
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