The Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is on the Recoleta’s district, in front of the Plaza Intendente Alvear (also known as Plaza Francia). During the weekend, it normally gets crowded, and the tourists go to the artisan’s fair and visit the Recoleta’s Cemetery.
It is the oldest church of Buenos Aires which has an architecture of Baroque style. Its history starts in 1708, when Franciscan Recoleto friars came from Spain and received the donation of a high land from a couple of landowners (Capitan Fernando de Valdez e Inclán and his wife Gregoria). Their intention was to build a church and a convent. In 1716 the construction was authorized by king Felipe V, and Juan de Narbona built a modest chapel and four cloisters for the friars. In 1725, the construction of the church was finished.
The main altar was done by Domingo Mendízabal, Ignacio de Arregui and Miguel de Careaga. In 1731, a Saint Antonio de Padua’s bell was put on the belfry. In October 12, 1732 the church was inaugurated, when its 30 meters tower was finished. In 1779, an atrium with a relics altar and a Baptism place was included in the facade. In 1936, Pope Pius XI designated it as a basilica and in May 21, 1942 it was declared a National Historic Monument.
Main Altar
All the six secondary altars were carved by the Portuguese Pedro Carmona. Among them, there are:
Altar of the Christ of the Patience and Humility:
It shows a Christ image with sore spots and wounds over the head, sat down over a rock waiting for his Crucifixion.
Altarpiece of the Christ of the Patience and Humility
Altar of Our Lady of Mount Carmel:
Image carved and painted on wood from the XVIII century. The Virgin is over the Mount Carmel “that shines more than the sun”, holding the child Jesus on her arms. She uses a short veil, crown and a golden Carmelites habit with brown details.
Altarpiece of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Altar of Saint Anne and the Virgin Mary:
Image of Portuguese Rococo style carved and painted on wood from the end of the XIX century or beginning of the XX century. Saint Anne stands up with her hand over the Virgin’s shoulder. She holds a scroll with the words “to Love God above all Things”. She wears a blue tunic, white veil and a brown mantle. On the white tunic of the girl we can see symbolic motifs as the fount, the scale, etc.
Altarpiece of Saint Anne and the Virgin Mary
Christ Crucified
Inside this Basilica there is also a Museum where the friars cloisters were before, and it will be the subject of a next post.
Where?
Basilica Nuestra Señora del Pilar | Junín 1904 | Tel: +54 (11) 4806-2209 / 4803-6793
sepphora | 9:04 am | National Historic Monument, Recoleta
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