To be honest, Basílica de Guadalupe was not originally my list of places to visit when I was…read morevacationing 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.
