The Basilica of Guadalupe

Our time in Mexico is running short, and there is still so much to see!  We got up this morning bright and early and headed out to see one of the holiest sights for Catholics in the world:  The Basilica of Guadalupe.  It is believed that on Tepeyac Hill in December of 1531 the Virgin revealed herself to Juan Diego in the form of the Virgin of Guadalupe.  The first 2 times no one would believe poor Juan Diego, but the the 3rd time (being the charm and all) she emblazoned her icon on his cloak and he was finally recognized by all as witness to a miracle.

The Basilica complex is enormous with many chapels and churches.  As a degreed student of religion, I absolutely had to go check this place out before we leave Mexico forever.

Here is the Modern Basilica.  It was built in the 1970s and can house 40,000 people for mass.  !!  Inside is a very famous icon of Guadalupe.

Like most places in Mexico, the Modern Basilica has fancy doors.

As we climbed the hill we came across this dramatization in statue of when Juan Diego finally showed the clergy his new icon.

The Ancient Basilica and the Modern Basilica from above.

The view from the very top.  Doesn't that air look...crunchy?

I find these Quetzalcoatl head fountains somewhat out of place...

A vibrant shrine.

A statue memorial of the indigenous people paying their respects to the Virgin.

I found a cactus garden!!

Inside one of the many chapels.

The Ancient Basilica (with the yellow toppers on the right) is falling over.  It throws the perspective of the entire picture off!  Walking around inside that building was odd...kind of felt intoxicated from the extremely uneven floor.

On our way home we were almost tempted by the $15-$30 peso ($1.20-$2.40 USD) haircuts...but alas we moved on.