Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Soledad
The Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Soledad (Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude) is a Roman Catholic Basilica located in Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico. It was built between 1682 and 1690, and is a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude, patron saint of Oaxaca.[1] The architecture style is Baroque,[2] and was intentionally built with low spires and towers, as to better resist earthquakes. The Basilica de la Soledad is part of the Historic Center of Oaxaca City, which was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.[3]
| 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 |
| Geographic coordinates | 17°03′49″N 96°43′49″W |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Fernando Méndez |
| Type | Latin Cross |
| Style | Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1682 |
| Completed | 1718 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | East-northeast |
| Materials | cantera |
History
The construction of the Basilica began in 1682 and in 1690 was consecrated by Bishop Sariñana y Cuenca. It was designed by Father Fernando Méndez and the current facade was built between 1717 and 1718, with the assistance of Bishop Angel Maldonado.[4]
Description
The Basilica of La Soledad is laid out in the shape of a Latin cross. The building was constructed from green cantera, a stone common in parts of Oaxaca.
The west gallery contains a baroque pipe organ dated 1686, restored to playing condition in 2000.[5]
References
- "Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad Review". Fodor's Travel. Archived from the original on 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- "Sacred Destinations: Basilica de la Soledad, Oaxaca". Sacred Destinations. Archived from the original on 2010-04-05. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- Rivera Rosas, Ricardo (2008). The measurement of the economic impact and damage to Oaxaca City tourism economy, after the sociopolitical movement in 2006 (PDF) (Report). 9th internacional forum of Tourism Statistics.
- Municipality of Oaxaca. "Templos y Ex Conventos" [Churches and ex-monasteries] (in Spanish). Oaxaca. Archived from the original on 11 June 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
- The Organ of La Soledad