Basilica de la Soledad, Oaxaca
The Basilica de la Soledad in Oaxaca City is the most important religious site in the entire state of Oaxaca. Architecturally, it is notable for its 24-m (79-ft) high Baroque facade and its heavily gilded interior.
The basilica was built between 1682 and 1690 to house the holy image of the Virgin of Solitude (Soledad), Oaxaca's patron saint. The statue stands inside the church, decorated with 600 diamonds and topped with a 4-lb gold crown. Her vestments are encrusted with pearls.
In the 1980s robbers removed her jewel-studded crown; she now has a replica of the original and stands in a glass-covered shrine. Many locals come to pray before the image, as she is believed to have the power to heal and work miracles. A major festival on December 18 honors the Virgin, attracting the faithful from all over Oaxaca.
According to legend, the image of the Virgin was found in the pack of a mule that sat down on an outcropping of rock and refused to get up. When the image was discovered, the Virgin appeared, and a basilica was constructed to commemorate the event. The outcropping of rock is surrounded by a cage of iron bars immediately to your right along the wall as you enter the church.
The concave facade of the Basilica de la Soledad, projecting forward from the building, is unique in Mexico's religious architecture. The way the top is rounded and the tiers are divided suggests an imitation in stone of the traditional carved wooden retablos (folding altarpieces) common in Mexican churches.
Attached to the church is a former convent with a small religious museum in back. The museum is charming, and contains a curious blend of pieces; some museum-quality, others mere trinkets.
When visiting the Basílica, it is traditional to eat ice cream; there are vendors in the lower plaza in front of the church.
Visitor Information for the Basilica de la Soledad
| Location: | Av. Independencia 107, at Calle Victoria, Centro Histórico, Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico |
| Phone: | No phone |
| Hours: | Basilica: Daily 7am-2pm and 4-9pm. Museum: Mon-Sat 10am-2pm and 4-6pm; Sun 11am-2pm. |
| Cost: | Museum: 30¢ |
Sources: Eyewitness Travel Guide to Mexico and Frommer's Mexico 2005.
Left photo: under GFDL; middle photo: © Dr. Manuel Aguilar; right photo: Cal State, L.A. Art Dept.
