Tag: basilica of our lady of guanajuato

Postcards from Guanajuato, Mexico: Overflowing pews meant no opportunities for interior photos

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Above: Full moon rising over la Parroquia de Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato

Having blogged much about churches in Guanajuato in the past, am simply posting a few random shots from this most recent trip. Churches were fulfilling their roles, too occupied by the faithful attending services – sadly a high number of funeral masses this time around – for intrusions by wandering visitors snapping photographs of soaring ceilings and intimate altars.

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Postcard from Guanajuato, Mexico: Where the Spanish found pots of silver at the end of the rainbow

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Wrote so many things about Guanajuato two years ago that few words are necessary. Here is a batch of photos mined there during our meanderings there this past fall.

Museo Palacio de los Poderes
Templo de la Compania de Jesus
Casa del Conde Rul
Templo de la Compania de Jesus
jarra de claret
street corn
Templo de San Francisco
Teatro Juarez
castillo erected for fireworks to celebrate the Festival of the Virgin of Loreto
Universidad de Guanajuato
Father Hidalgo prepping for Diez y Seis
Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato
Capilla Santa Casa de Loreto
Diez y Seis de Septiembre lights
Iglesia de San Diego
El Pipila
Teatro Juarez
El Clave Azul Mezcal Bar
Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato

My favorite photo here is the rooftop overflow “parking lot” for El Nino Medico. The toy cars left with prayers for El Nino in his glass quarters in Templo de la Compania de Jesus always mount up, sometimes to the point of almost burying him. There were so many stuffed inside this trip that the faithful began parking them on top of his quarters. I am including a photo after the illegally parked cars have been towed away once again by church guardians.

rooftop overflow parking lot for cars and trucks left for El Nino Medico

 

Postcard from Guanajuato, Mexico: Basilica of the City’s Patron Saint

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No matter from what direction one approaches, the rich hues of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato make it stand out against the city’s blue skies. Built between 1671 and 1696, the church houses an Andulusian statue of the Virgin and Child encased in glass on its altar.

The statue was a gift from King Felipe II (1527-1598) of Spain presented to the city in 1557 in recognition of all the riches sent from the mines to enrich the crown. The Virgin represents the city’s patron saint and is believed to be the oldest image of the Virgin sent to the Americas. Along the way, her scepter was replaced with a rose, particularly appropriate as the basilica fronts the Plaza de la Paz.

 

Tucked around the images and statues of the saints inside are reminders of the prayers of those who visit. A silver arm or leg left in hope of a mended limb. A heart milagro for assistance for an organ beginning to falter with age or a young heart broken. Photos of babies in need of cures. Ribbons of wishes for the safe return of family members who have crossed the border to seek work in el norte.