Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Buenos Aires facts for kids
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is a very old and important church located in Recoleta, Buenos Aires, a neighborhood in Argentina. It was originally built as part of a large monastery for Franciscan monks. The construction of this beautiful building was finished in 1732. It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar, a special religious figure.
This basilica is quite special because it is the second-oldest church still standing in Buenos Aires. Imagine how much history it has seen! For many years, it served as a home and place of worship for the Franciscan monks. However, in 1821, the Franciscans had to leave. After they left, the basilica became a regular parish church, meaning it served the local community for their religious needs.
Building the Basilica
The building project for the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar was started by an Italian architect named Andrés Blanqui. He was a Jesuit, which is a member of a religious order. The work was later completed under the guidance of another architect, Juan Bautista Prímoli. Together, they created this impressive structure that has stood for centuries.
