Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

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We visited as a guest

After exploring Teotihuacán and having lunch at Restaurante Gran Teocalli, we returned to Mexico City to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is one of the most sacred places in Mexico City and where Our Lady of Guadalupe is believed to have appeared to Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin.

We first visited the newer circular shaped Basilica where we had a once in a lifetime opportunity of seeing the original image of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Juan Diego’s cloak. In front of the image was an escalator that keeps visitors moving back and forth in front of the image to avoid overcrowding. I rode the escalator multiple times, and couldn’t take my eyes off the beautiful image.

Then we walked into the church where a service was happening. The beautiful music from the choir echoed in the building, and I couldn’t help but admire the beautiful architecture. I said a prayer and then exited one of the seven doors built to reference the seven gates of Celestial Jerusalem and then walked into the courtyard.

The minute that I stepped foot into the plaza, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the Old Basilica and the Capuchin Nuns’ Temple. The architecture was the most beautiful things that my eyes have ever seen, and I was devastated when learning that the Old Basilica is slowly sinking, and may not stay open to the public for much longer.

I was so grateful to have the opportunity to enter the Old Basilica and admire every gorgeous detail of the church. The Old Basilica was once the place where the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was originally held. In 1921, a bomb was planted in a flower vase in the church and exploded. There was devastating damage to the Old Basilica, but the image remained untouched. A crucifix was bent during the blast and is currently on display in the new Basilica, but I was unable to witness it during my visit due to the church service that was happening. It was then in 1974 that the image was moved to the new Basilica where I had the honor of seeing it.

As I walked through the Old Basilica, I could feel the shift in the building from the sinkage. At certain parts of the building, it was a little hard to stand upright, and it just reminded me of how tragic it is that this beautiful piece of history won’t be here for future generations to appreciate.

I took my time walking through the Old Basilica and then stopped in the gift shop to purchase a memorable souvenir to bring home to my daughter. I then took a moment to admire the massive Bronze statue of John Paul II outside of the Old Basilica, and then it started to rain.

Visiting Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a must when traveling to Mexico City. It will be a very spiritual experience for everyone who comes to witness the place where the miracle happened. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located at Plaza de las Américas 1, Villa de Guadalupe, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, 07050 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico.