Our Lady of Solitude

Patrona de Oaxaca

In mourning, with rich black and gold blankets, the Virgin of Soledad of Oaxaca accompanies her people in the mystery of Holy Saturday. She's the patron of the city and the whole state.

Origin and history

The tradition reports that, towards the end of the 16th century, a very heavy drawer that was thought to be destined for another city came to Oaxaca; when it was opened, only the head and hands of an image of the Virgin of Soledad were found. It was interpreted that the Virgin wanted to stay in Oaxaca, and with those fragments the current image was composed.

In the place was raised a hermitage, later replaced by the majestic Baroque temple that today is the basilica. Over the centuries devotion grew, especially among travellers, traders and humble people. The canonical coronation of 1909 confirmed its importance; today it is one of the great Marian centers of Mexico.