Pilgrimage to

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

during a stop-over in Mexico City (MEX)

Why Should You Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe?: THE SHRINE AT GUADALUPE is considered the holiest place in the Western Hemisphere. The Basilica commemorates the Virgin Mary's appearance to a humble Indian and honors her request that a Shrine be built in Her honor. In December of 1531, Juan Diego informed a skeptical bishop of his encounter with Mary. A few days later, Juan returned to the site of the vision and once again Our Mother appeared. The humble man relayed the bishop's request for proof of Her visitation, whereupon the Virgin instructed Juan to gather roses from the frozen, rocky terrain and present them to the bishop. Remarkably for the cool season, he found a great number of roses strewn all around. Gathering the roses in a sackcloth, he hurriedly took them to the bishop. When he opened the cloak to present the roses to the cleric, it was not only the blooms that amazed the bishop. Stamped on the humble cloth was an image of the Virgin! You can see the original tilma of Juan Diego with the miraculous image hanging above the main altar.; Visit also the Chapel of Tepeyac.; Extensive additional information is posted at http://www.sancta.org/ about

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Chronology of Events
Relation of the Apparitions
Saint Juan Diego
The mysterious eyes of the Virgin
The Basilica

How to Get There?: From Mexico City airport (MEX), take the subway (metro). (Be cautios about taxis: you should not hail a taxi off the street. Instead, phone a taxi from one of the taxi agencies, where you will be assured of a safe licensed taxi with vetted drivers and professional service. They cost a little extra, but they are worth it.) Consider printing and taking along a copy of the map of Mexico City subway or a relevant portion of the subway map.; To reach the airport metro station, marked with an "M" sign, turn left out of the terminal and walk past the car park.; Take metro Line 5 north, in the direction POLITECNICO. Transfer to Line 6 at "Instituto del Petroleo" and exit at the station La Villa Basilica. (I am not sure if "La Villa" and "Basilica" are the same station. From the literature, it seems that "La Villa" is closer.); From the "La Villa" station, walk north two busy blocks on Calzada de Guadalupe, until reaching the Square.; From the "Basilica" station, take the exit marked SALIDA AV. MONTIEL. Walk a block or so north of the Metro station to a major intersection (Montevideo; you'll know it by the VIP's and Denny's across the street to the left). Turn right onto Av. Montevideo and cross the overpass; after about 15-minute walk, you'll see the great church.; Map of Mexico City subway
(MEX airport is on the yellow line 5); Partial map of the Mexico City subway, useful for travel from Mexico City airport to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (MEX airport is on the yellow line 5)

Address and Useful Information About the Basilica:

Address:	Plaza Hidalgo 1, Colonia Villa de Guadalupe
Phone:	5577-6022
Location:	(near the La Villa Metro station).
Open:	Tues-Sun 10am-6pm. (Why should the Basilica be closed on Mondays?)
Admission:	Free admission; museum 50c.
Metro:	Basilica or La Villa.

Practical Advice to Pigrims:: General advice; Important telephone numbers; When undertaking a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on your own, maybe during a stop-over at Mexico City airport, you are well advised - as in any big city - to leave all your belongings and valuables behind, and to be watchful of unusual activities or crowding near you.; Taxi service:
You should not hail a taxi off the street. If you need a taxi, dispatch one from one of the taxi agencies, where you will be assured of a safe licensed taxi with a vetted driver and professional service. Write down the license number and compare it with the taxi that picks you up. These taxis cost a little extra, but they are worth it.

Mexico City Airport (MEX):: Mexico City (MEX) airport information; Luggage lockers:

Lockers are available near lounge A.
"Where are luggage lockers, please?"
"Podria decirme donde estan los lockers por favor?"; Airport Information:

Information desks are located in Domestic Arrivals lounge A and at the International counters in lounge F, in front of gates 19 and 29B.
A tourist information office, which provides information on Mexico City and can help with your accommodation, is located in lounge B.

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Last update: 2004.07.04 (Sunday) 10:00:43 EDT.