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 (in Spanish: Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento) is a famous Roman Catholic church located in the city of Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. It is one of the oldest churches in the entire country and a very important historical landmark.
Contents
A Long and Storied History
The story of this church is as old as the city it stands in. It has been built and rebuilt several times over hundreds of years, making it a true survivor.
From Humble Beginnings
The church's parish was officially created on February 2, 1680. This was the same time the city of Colonia del Sacramento, which was originally a Portuguese settlement, was founded.
The very first church wasn't a grand stone building. It was a simple, small building made of mud and wood. This shows that from the very beginning, faith was an important part of the new city.
Rebuilding Through Time
The church you can see today was first built in 1810. It was designed by an architect named Tomás Toribio. Unfortunately, not long after it was finished, a powerful lightning storm hit and destroyed the building.
It took many years, but the church was carefully restored between 1836 and 1841. Much later, in 1976, the building received another major renovation to keep it in good condition. A team of architects, including José Terra Carve, Antonio Cravotto, and Miguel Ángel Odriozola, worked on this important project.
A World Treasure
In 1995, the historic part of Colonia del Sacramento was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. UNESCO is a part of the United Nations that helps protect important cultural and natural places around the world.
Because the Basilica is a key part of this historic area, it is also protected as a World Heritage Site. This means it is recognized as a place of special importance to all of humanity.
See also
In Spanish: Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento (Colonia del Sacramento) para niños
