Basilica of Guadalupe Private Tour (No Transport)

The Basilica of Guadalupe, located at the foot of Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City, is one of the most important Catholic shrines in Latin America. Its origin dates back to December 1531, when, according to tradition, the Virgin Maria appeared four times to an indigenous man named Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, asking him to build a temple in her honor. As proof of her apparitions, the Virgin miraculously left her image imprinted on Juan Diego’s cloak (tilma), which is still preserved today.

In response to these events, a first hermitage was built in 1531, followed by a more solid chapel around 1556. Due to the growing number of pilgrims, a larger church was constructed: the Old Basilica of Guadalupe, inaugurated on May 1, 1709, under the orders of Archbishop Francisco de Aguiar y Seijas.

However, the unstable ground caused structural issues, and a new temple became necessary. Between 1974 and 1976, the New Basilica of Guadalupe was built, designed by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez. It was inaugurated on October 12, 1976, and its circular design allows the image of the Virgin to be seen from any point inside.

Today, the Basilica welcomes over 20 million visitors each year, especially on December 12, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico and Empress of the Americas.