Why was the basilica de guadalupe built

However, the particular design was purposeful, as the soft subsoil on which it is built required this type of lightweight construction. The basilica's circular floorplan— meters or feet in diameter—was thoughtfully arranged to allow views of the Virgin from any spot inside the building.

To guarantee that the new church would not sink, as the old structure did due to unstable land, the new basilica was built with a central meter foot -high pylon.

Upon your visit, you will see that the church is divided into two sections, the old basilica, and the modern basilica. The old part of the building was built between and , and is located on one side of the main basilica. In , a bomb planted by a terrorist caused great destruction to the inside of the basilica, but did not harm the cloak. Today, a cross stands in display in memory of this incident. Behind the old basilica lies a museum of religious art, as well as steps leading to the Capilla del Cerrito , the "hill chapel," which was built on the exact spot at the top of the hill where the Virgin is believed to have appeared to Juan Diego.

Built between and , the new basilica, constructed on the site of the 16th century "old basilica," was built when the older church's foundation began to sink. Designed by Pedro Ramirez Vasquez an architect who also designed the National Museum of Anthropology , the new church has a circular floor plan that can accommodate up to 10, people.

The main floor consists of a choir space, located between the congregation and the altar, and two chapels a small space containing its own altar on either side. The upper floor contains nine chapels, and the basement houses the church's crypts, 15, niches, and 10 chapels.

Additionally, the immense plaza in front of the basilica has room for 50, worshipers. The Basilica de Guadalupe is located in the northern part of Mexico City, approximately 7 miles from downtown, in an area called Villa de Guadalupe Hidalgo, or simply "la Villa.

You can also take the Line 4 subway for a minute ride, and then walk north two blocks along Calzada de Guadalupe. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. The image of La Virgen is a woman with dark skin with an angel at her feet. Mary stands on a crescent moon and is silhouetted by the rays of the sun — symbols of the Aztec gods.

She is also pregnant, signified by the black cord around her waist. While contemporary viewers may see her folded hands as a sign of prayer — this was the Indigenous symbol of gift giving. This image resonated throughout Mexico and the Americas.

Guadalupe shrines shine around the globe. Basilicas There have been a number of Basilicas constructed on the site. The oldest existing chapel is located up the hill. The newest structure opened its doors in and was designed by architect Pedro Ramirez Vasquez, who also created the Azteca Stadium. The image of the Virgin is hung above moving walkways that carry the visitors back and forth in front of it. Today, the Basilica of Guadalupe draws 1 million people on pilgrimage to La Villa every December and is second only to the Vatican as the most popular Catholic attraction in the world.

Transportation — Take the metro line 3 from downtown to Deportivo 18 de Marzo. You can also catch the microbus on the south side of Reforma, west of the Auditorio Metro. Dates to observe … or avoid — Unless you like big crowds, avoid the church on December 12th when hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit.

She asked him to visit the local bishop and tell him that the Virgin Mary wanted a church built in her honor on the hill. Who is La Virgen? The Virgin of Guadalupe refers to when the Virgin Mary— the mother of Jesus and a very important saint in the Roman Catholic religious tradition—appeared to a man named Juan Diego in Mexico in She holds a special place in the culture and religious life of many Mexicans and Mexican Americans. The biblical passages that pertain to a fuller explanation are Genesis 3, Isaiah 7, and Revelation chapters Chapter 3 of Genesis foretells a woman—or her seed and this woman is pregnant!