Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude

Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad

Facade of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
Basic information
Location Mexico Oaxaca de Juárez
Geographic coordinates 17°03′49″N 96°43′49″W / 17.06361°N 96.73028°W / 17.06361; -96.73028Coordinates: 17°03′49″N 96°43′49″W / 17.06361°N 96.73028°W / 17.06361; -96.73028
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Rite Latin Rite
Province Archdiocese of Antequera, Oaxaca
Year consecrated 1690
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Basilica
Architectural description
Architect(s) Fernando Méndez
Architectural type Latin Cross
Architectural style Baroque
Direction of façade ENE
Groundbreaking 1682
Completed 1690
Specifications
Materials cantera

The Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude (Spanish: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad) is a Roman Catholic Basilica located in Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico. It was built between 1682 and 1690, and is a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude, patron saint of Oaxaca.[1] The architecture style is Baroque,[2] and was intentionally built with low spires and towers, as to better resist earthquakes. The Basilica de la Soledad is part of the Historic Center of Oaxaca City, which was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.[3]

History

The construction of the Basilica began in 1682 and in 1690 was consecrated by Bishop Sariñana y Cuenca. It was designed by Father Fernando Méndez and the current facade was built between 1717 and 1718, with the assistance of Bishop Angel Maldonado.[4]

Description

The Basilica of La Soledad is laid out in the shape of a Latin cross. The building was constructed from green cantera, a stone common in parts of Oaxaca. The west gallery contains a baroque pipe organ dated 1686, restored to playing condition in 2000.[5]

Virgin Mary, kneeling and weeping at the foot of the Cross.

See also

References

  1. "Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad Review". Fodor's Travel. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  2. "Sacred Destinations: Basilica de la Soledad, Oaxaca". Sacred Destinations. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  3. Rivera Rosas, Ricardo (2008). The measurement of the economic impact and damage to Oaxaca City tourism economy, after the sociopolitical movement in 2006. (PDF) (Report). 9th internacional forum of Tourism Statistics.
  4. Municipality of Oaxaca. "Templos y Ex Conventos" [Churches and ex-monasteries] (in Spanish). Oaxaca. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  5. The Organ of La Soledad
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