The Basilica, like many Oaxaca churches was started in the 16-17th c.

In 1612, Juan Cervantes, bishop of Oaxaca carved 4 crosses from an original cross which had been worshipped by natives of Southern Oaxaca. This cross was placed before the Spanish came to the New World. The natives told Pedro Alvarado in 1522 stories of the white robed holy man who left it for them on the shore. They said he departed, and they never saw him again.

The patron saint of Oaxaca is the Virgin. In the basilica she has a five-pound golden crown with 600 diamonds. We stopped in today on a Sunday. It was packed with all kinds of people. Some churches have guitar music but this one had a huge organ. On Sunday the plaza out front has a party atmosphere with delicious desserts. (see pic)

The facade is carved from the local green and beige volcanic cantera stone. It is not totally flat, but not totally undulating either. It is Mexican Baroque. Many churches have been rebuilt from the 1500's up until the 1980's due to the many earthquakes. I didn't know about the earthquakes until I got here.