This shrine to Mexico's patron saint is one of the holiest places in the country. The late Pope John Paul II declared her the patron saint of the Americas. It's built on the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to peasant Juan Diego in 1531. Her image was miraculously imprinted on his homespun cloak, which hangs behind the altar of the church. The original church was built in 1709. When it began to sink into the swampy subsoil, a new basilica was constructed on the same plaza and was consecrated in 1976. The celebration of Juan Diego's apparition takes place on 12 December and draws hundreds of thousands of the faithful from all over. On this and other days, you can see many people approaching on their knees as a sign of their faith. Visitors are welcome to visit the church 6 am-8 pm. The basilica museum is open daily except Monday 10 am-5 pm. Entrance to the basilica is free; museum admission is M$5. Plaza de las Americas 1 (near the La Villa metro station), Col. Villa de Guadalupe, Mexico City. Phone 5577-6022. http://www.virgendeguadalupe.org.mx.
