La Villa de Guadalupe is a neighborhood located in the northern part of Mexico City in the Gustavo A. Madero borough. It’s one of the Mexico City’s magic neighborhoods, or barrios mágicos, and home to the Basilica de Guadalupe, the most important Catholic shrine in the Americas and one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world. The Basilica complex, which includes both the Old and New Basilica as well as temples and a museum, is located at the foot of Tepeyac Hill where legend has it the Virgen de Guadalupe, an apparition of the Virgin Mary, appeared to Juan Diego in 1531.
View of the Basilica complex from Tepeyac Hill in Colonia La Villa de Guadalupe
The Virgen de Guadalupe, or Our Lady of Guadalupe, is Mexico’s patron saint and her image can be seen everywhere; in churches and on the hundreds, maybe thousands, of street side shrines in her honor as well as on candles, baseball caps, t-shirts, shopping bags and more. She’s honored each year during the ‘Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe‘ on December 12th with a mass pilgrimage to the Basilica in Mexico City. Celebrations take place throughout Mexico and often include lots of firecrackers, prayers and a midnight rendition of ‘Las Mañanitas’, the traditional Mexican birthday song.
In the days leading up to the “Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe’ millions of people make the pilgrimage to the Basilica in Mexico City where they camp out for the duration of the holiday. Many arrive exhausted after walking or cycling from neighboring states. Some arrive carrying statues of the Virgen, many others make the pilgrimage with her framed image strapped to their backs. Some people even make the journey on their knees. It’s an impressive display of faith and an incredible sight to look out over the vast sea of people crowding into the Calzada de Guadalupe and the Basilica complex.
Here are some photos from my visit this past Sunday; the day before the ‘Feast’:
Crowds at the Basilica the day before the Feast. The New Basilica is on the left and the Old Basilica on the right.
From tapestries to t-shirts, the crowds at the Basilica were displaying their faith in any and every way possible.
Many made the pilgrimage carrying statues and framed images of the Virgen.
This man was one of several people who made the pilgrimage on their knees.
Aztec dancers performed in the rear of the Basilica complex and groups in traditional dress arrived throughout the day from all across central Mexico.
This particular group performed for the crowds that had gathered in the plaza before making their way into the Basilica.
People were camped out all over the place alongside statues and images of the Virgen.
Some people had proper tents while others built shelter out of blankets and tarps.
The ‘Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe’ marks the unofficial start to the Christmas season in Mexico and the beginning of the series of holiday festivities that’s commonly referred to as the ‘Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon‘.
If You Go: La Villa de Guadalupe can be easily reached via metro. The closest station in La Villa-Basilica, however over the holiday this station is closed due to crowds and you’ll have to walk from the nearby Deportivo 18 de Marzo station. The day before the actual Feast day is one of the busiest days of the year in la Villa de Guadalupe and a great time to visit if you don’t mind the crowds and are interested in seeing the spectacle.
Tip: The Barrios Mágicos guide (in Spanish) from Mexico Desconocido is a great resource for exploring la Villa de Guadalupe and all of Mexico City’s magic neighborhoods. If you’re interested in touring the neighborhood attractions, you may prefer to wait for a less crowded time to visit la Villa de Guadalupe.
México Today, in association with Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day.
Disclosure: I am being compensated for my role as a contributing writer for México Today; my opinions, as always, are my own.
Lead photo: via flickr
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When I was kid, this miracle story was so fascinating to me. I’ve always wanted to check out this site!
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