Independencia, Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico
Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude
A seventeenth-century Baroque church in Oaxaca, Mexico, dedicated to the patroness of the state and home to a beloved colonial-era statue of the Virgin.
The Basilica de la Soledad sits on a stone platform at the western edge of Oaxaca's historic center, its green cantera stone facade carved with saints, angels, and floral motifs. Built between 1682 and 1690, the church houses the statue of the Virgen de la Soledad — Our Lady of Solitude — Oaxaca's patroness, discovered according to tradition in a mule's pack in the seventeenth century. The statue wears a black velvet mantle embroidered with gold and is crowned with a gold crown set with diamonds. The interior is ornate Baroque, with gilded retablos and colonial paintings. A small museum behind the church displays ex-votos and religious art. The surrounding plaza fills with vendors selling Oaxacan ice cream, and the atmosphere is lively and devotional at the same time.
Diocese: Archdiocese of Antequera-Oaxaca
Style: Mexican Baroque
What to See
The facade is a masterpiece of Mexican Baroque stone carving — spend time reading it before going inside. The statue of the Virgin in her black mantle is striking and clearly beloved by the faithful. The ex-voto museum behind the church is small but fascinating.
Pilgrim Notes
The basilica is a short walk from the Zocalo in central Oaxaca. The feast of the Virgen de la Soledad on December 18 is a major celebration. Oaxaca is also known for its food, mezcal, and the nearby ruins at Monte Alban.