Basilica of Our Lady of Luján (Archdiocese of Mercedes-Luján)
| Basilica of Our Lady of Luján | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Our Lady of Luján |
| Venerated Saints: | Our Lady of Luján (principal Marian image, terracotta statue of the Immaculate Conception) |
| Diocese: | Archdiocese of Mercedes-Luján |
| Deanery: | Not applicable (national shrine and minor basilica) |
| Address: | Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina (precise street: 9 de Julio, Mitre, Salvaire y San Martín) |
| Coordinates: | 34.57, -59.105 |
| City: | Luján, Argentina |
| Subdivision: | Buenos Aires Province |
| Country: | Argentina |
| County: | Not applicable |
| Website: | https://santuariodelujan.org.ar |
| Founded: | |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | consultas@santuariodelujan.org.ar, Not publicly detailed in available sources, Not publicly detailed in available sources, Not publicly detailed in available sources |
The Basilica of Our Lady of Luján (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Luján), also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Luján, is a major Roman Catholic pilgrimage site in Luján, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, approximately 70 km west of Buenos Aires. Dedicated to Our Lady of Luján, the patroness of Argentina (and also venerated in Paraguay and Uruguay), it is designated as a minor basilica (elevated by Pope Pius XI in 1930) and serves as the national shrine of Argentina. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Mercedes-Luján and attracts millions of pilgrims annually, especially during the feast on May 8 (main celebration) and December 8.[1]
The veneration originates from a 1630 tradition involving a small terracotta statue (38 cm tall) of the Immaculate Conception, ordered from Brazil by a settler. Hagiographic accounts hold that the statue miraculously "chose" to remain in Luján when oxen pulling the cart refused to move further, leading to its permanent residence there. The original small chapel (1685) evolved into larger shrines; the current monumental structure is a masterpiece of Neogothic (French Gothic Revival) architecture, constructed between 1890 and 1935. It was declared a National Historic Monument in 1998.[2]
The basilica features two prominent 106-meter towers (each topped with a large cross), a length of 104 meters, width of 42 meters at the front (68.5 meters at the transept), and a grand façade inspired by 13th-century French Gothic cathedrals (e.g., Chartres, Reims). It contains 15 bells (ranging from 55 kg to 3,400 kg), beautiful stained glass windows (many from France, depicting biblical scenes and historical events related to the image), and a vast interior with 25 chapels. The central focus is the camarín (shrine room) housing the historic terracotta statue of Our Lady of Luján, adorned with a gold crown (featuring diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, and enamels) and often dressed in a white robe and sky-blue cloak (colors of the Argentine flag).[3]
As of January 2026, the basilica remains an active pilgrimage center, with daily Masses, frequent processions, and major events drawing crowds, especially the annual youth pilgrimage from Buenos Aires (Peregrinación de los Jóvenes, first Sunday in October, often over a million participants).
History
The devotion to Our Lady of Luján began in 1630 with the arrival of a small terracotta statue of the Immaculate Conception from Brazil. According to tradition, the statue refused to continue its journey beyond Luján, leading to its permanent veneration there.[4] A small chapel was built in 1685, replaced by larger shrines in the 18th–19th centuries.
The current basilica's construction began on May 6, 1890, after the stone foundation was laid in 1887 and official works started following a request by Father Jorge María Salvaire. The project was inspired by French Gothic cathedrals and designed to honor the patroness. Key milestones include:
- 1904: Inauguration of the apse, chapels, camarín, high altar, and transepts; transfer of the image to the new camarín.
- 1910: Official inauguration and blessing (December 4) without completed towers, coinciding with the Argentine Centennial.
- 1930: Elevation to minor basilica by Pope Pius XI.
- 1935: Completion of the full structure, including towers.
- 1937: Final addition of the main spire/needle.
- 1998: Declaration as National Historic Monument (Decreto 283/98).[5]
The basilica was designed by French architect Ulderico Courtois and built in stages amid national challenges.
Special features
- National Shrine and patroness of Argentina (Our Lady of Luján).[6]
- Annual pilgrimages, including the massive Peregrinación de los Jóvenes (first Sunday in October).[7]
- 15 named and inscribed bells (total weight ~12,489 kg).[8]
- Cripta (crypt) with historical items, including stones from major Marian shrines worldwide and the original papal crown elements.[9]
- Rose of Gold gifted by Pope John Paul II.[10]
Relics
The principal venerated object is the small terracotta statue (38 cm) of Our Lady of Luján in the camarín, enshrined since the 17th century and adorned with a papal-coronated crown (1887, by Pope Leo XIII). No major first- or second-class relics of saints are prominently documented in public sources. The crypt contains symbolic items: stones from the Holy Land (Gruta de Nazareth, Monte Calvario), Catacombs of Rome, and shrines (Loreto, Pilar, Montserrat, Lourdes, La Salette, Montmartre), plus the Rose of Gold from Pope John Paul II. These are devotional/historical objects rather than classified relics.[11]
Architecture
The basilica is a prominent example of Neogothic (French Gothic Revival) architecture, inspired by 13th-century European cathedrals (e.g., Chartres, Reims, Amiens). Construction (1890–1935) used stone, with two 106-meter towers dominating the skyline.[12]
External features
- Two tall spires (106 m each) topped with large crosses.[13]
- Grand façade with intricate Gothic detailing, rose window, and portals.[14]
- Overall length 104 m, width 42 m (front) to 68.5 m (transept).[15]
Interior features
- French Gothic interior with high vaults, ribbed ceilings, and ornate stonework.
- Beautiful stained glass windows from France (Bordeaux), depicting biblical scenes, historical events (e.g., cart stopping, papal coronation).[16]
- 25 chapels, monumental altar, and camarín shrine.
- Two organs (small lateral and main organ under the rose window).[17]
Art and Devotional Features
The basilica is rich in Marian art, focusing on Our Lady of Luján.
Stained Glass Windows
French stained glass (many from Bordeaux) illustrate biblical scenes, saints, and events from the devotion's history (e.g., the cart stopping in 1630, coronation by Pope Leo XIII).[18]
Statues and Sculptures
The central focus is the historic terracotta statue of Our Lady of Luján in the camarín, dressed in white and sky-blue robes.[19] No other major statues detailed in sources.
Other Artwork
Ornate altars, chapels, and historical exhibits (e.g., Muestra Histórica since 1999) with jewels and devotional items.[20]
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Related parishes
As the national shrine, it is unique; other major Marian shrines in Argentina include those of Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolás and Our Lady of the Valley in Catamarca.
External links
- [Official shrine website](https://santuariodelujan.org.ar)
- Archdiocese of Mercedes-Luján
References
- ↑ According to Wikipedia (English and Spanish entries, as of 2025) and the Argentine government cultural site (argentina.gob.ar); also referenced in multiple Catholic and historical sources.
- ↑ According to the Argentine Ministry of Culture (cultura.gob.ar) and Wikipedia citations from official decrees; the miraculous "stopping" of the cart is a longstanding tradition, widely reported but rooted in pious accounts rather than strictly documented historical records.
- ↑ Dimensions and features from Wikipedia (Spanish) and government sites; stained glass and bells from multiple sources including tuportaldelujan.com.ar.
- ↑ Hagiographic tradition as reported in Catholic sources and Wikipedia; not independently verifiable as historical fact.
- ↑ Timeline from cultura.gob.ar, tuportaldelujan.com.ar, and Wikipedia citations to official decrees.
- ↑ Official designation.
- ↑ Reported in multiple sources.
- ↑ From tuportaldelujan.com.ar.
- ↑ From cultura.gob.ar and related sites.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ From cultura.gob.ar and basilica-related descriptions.
- ↑ From Wikipedia and cultura.gob.ar.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Public imagery descriptions.
- ↑ Multiple sources.
- ↑ From sacredsites.com and other descriptions.
- ↑ Wikipedia Spanish.
- ↑ From multiple sources including sacredsites.com.
- ↑ Tradition and descriptions.
- ↑ From tuportaldelujan.com.ar.