Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Soledad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad |
|
|---|---|
Facade of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
|
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Province | Archdiocese of Antequera, Oaxaca |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Basilica |
| Year consecrated | 1690 |
| Location | |
| Location |  Oaxaca de Juárez |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Fernando Méndez |
| Architectural type | Latin Cross |
| Architectural style | Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1682 |
| Completed | 1718 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | East-northeast |
| Materials | cantera |
The Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Soledad is a beautiful church in Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico. It is also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude. This special church was built a long time ago, between 1682 and 1690. It is a place of worship dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude, who is the patron saint of Oaxaca.
The church's design is in the Baroque style. Its builders made sure the spires and towers were not too tall. This was a smart choice to help the building stand strong during earthquakes. The Basilica de la Soledad is an important part of the Historic Center of Oaxaca City. This entire area was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
Contents
History of the Basilica
How the Church Was Built
The construction of the Basilica started in 1682. It took eight years to build. In 1690, Bishop Sariñana y Cuenca officially dedicated the church. This means it was ready for people to use for worship.
The main design for the church was created by Father Fernando Méndez. The front part of the church, called the facade, was built later. This happened between 1717 and 1718. Bishop Angel Maldonado helped with this part of the construction.
What the Basilica Looks Like
Church Shape and Materials
The Basilica of La Soledad is shaped like a Latin cross. This means it has a long main part and shorter arms on the sides. The church was built using a special green stone called cantera. This type of stone is very common in the Oaxaca region.
Inside the Basilica
Inside the church, in the west gallery, there is a very old pipe organ. This organ was made in 1686. It was carefully fixed and made playable again in the year 2000.
See also
In Spanish: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (Oaxaca) para niños
- Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
- Baroque architecture
- Oaxaca de Juárez
