The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Walking through the Plaza of the old
and new Basilicas

Many older buildings, some dating back centuries, have been
gradually sinking as most of Mexico City has
been built upon marshy wetland. These buildings have
undergone massive restorations to maintain their
integrity.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe houses the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, the most important religious symbol to most Mexicans.  Originally the site of a shrine to a mother goddess, the Spanish destroyed it and constructed the old Basilica in 1709 using stones from the destroyed temple. There are actually several other religious buildings in the complex, including the Capilla del Poticito, built on a well of water considered to be healing.

Every year some twenty million pilgrims visit the sanctuary, of which about nine million come around December 12, when Saint Mary of Guadalupe is celebrated. The Basilica has received visits from heads of state, athletes, politicians, artists and leaders of several Christian denominations, including Pope John Paul II, who visited five times.

In 1974 the Modern Basilica was built due to the need to house the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe and allow access to a greater number of pilgrims, as the old temple was unstable and dangerous due to the sinking ground.  The circular shape symbolizes the tent that housed the Ark of the Covenant on its march through the desert  The Basilica was built with reinforced concrete for the roof structure, covered with green oxidized copper sheets and to prevent the settling of the land that occurred in surrounding buildings, 344 control piles help stabilize it. 

There are seven entrances to the front. The marble altar has various levels above the assembly. The image of the Virgin can be observed from everywhere inside the Basilica, and for better visibility, there is a walkway with a conveyer belt underneath the alter.

The conveyer belt to move visitors along as they
observe the sacred image

The shrine housing the Virgin and her shroud

At the New Basilica we witnessed a man with a broken leg, crawling through the plaza to the entrance.  People with disabilities or health problems will crawl to the Cathedral in search of healing. 

After crawling on his knees the man finally made
it into the Basilica (left foreground)

Often they will also bring a small metal pin, depicting, a broken arm, or a broken leg, or some other body part that they then attach to a Panel behind a saint for healing.