Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento, Colonia del Sacramento facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Parish church |
| Year consecrated | 1680 / 1810 / 1841 |
| Location | |
| Location | Vasconcellos 186 Colonia del Sacramento,  Uruguay |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Basilica minor |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iv |
| Designated | 1995 (19th session) |
| Parent listing | Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento |
| Reference no. | 747 |
| State Party | Uruguay |
| Region | Latin America |
The Basilica of the Holy Sacrament (Spanish: Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento) is a Roman Catholic church in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. It is a very old and important church in the city.
History of the Basilica
The church was first started on February 2, 1680. This makes it one of the oldest churches in Uruguay. The very first church building was a simple hut made of mud. It was built at the same time as the city of Colonia del Sacramento. The city was first settled by the Portuguese.
Building the Church
The church you see today was started in 1810. It was built following plans made by Tomás Toribio. But soon after it was finished, a lightning storm hit and damaged the building. The church was then repaired between 1836 and 1841.
Later, in 1976, the church was carefully restored again. Three architects, José Terra Carve, Antonio Cravotto, and Miguel Ángel Odriozola, worked on this restoration. They helped make sure the church stayed in good condition.
World Heritage Site Status
In 1995, something very special happened. The historic part of Colonia del Sacramento, where the Basilica is located, was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. UNESCO is an organization that helps protect important places around the world. This means the Basilica is recognized as a place of great cultural importance.
