Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Every year millions of people make a pilgrimage to the Basílica de Guadalupe, the world’s most visited Catholic shrine, to honor Mexico’s patron saint. According to followers accounts, the site marks the spot where the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to an indigenous peasant named Juan Diego in 1531. As legend has it, Diego had gathered roses in his cloak and upon revealing the bouquet to the clergy, the flowers fell to the ground but miraculously left an image of the Virgin imprinted on the garment, which remains enshrined in the basilica.
Old and New Basilicas
On the square you’ll see two adjacent basilicas. For many years worshipers prayed in the older 18th century church, but due to overcrowding and subsoil sinking of the building, a new basilica was erected beside it in 1976, a circular edifice that holds up to 10,000 people. Inside, in surreal fashion an escalator allows visitors to get a closer look at the sacred cloak. Behind the basilica there’s an onsite museum.
Tepeyac Hill
For a bird’s-eye view of the grounds, head up a flight of stairs to the original chapel perched atop Tepeyac Hill, the very spot where Diego had his visions. Expect large crowds, especially on December 12 when the basilica sees more than 1 million visitors for the Virgin of Guadalupe’s feast day.