Basilica of Our Lady of Coromoto

Greetings, Architecture and Design community! It’s so nice to be with you once again to share an architectural jewel of my country, Venezuela. It is the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Coromoto, located in the state of Portuguesa, a few kilometers from Guanare, the state capital, specifically on the outskirts of the town of Quebrada de la Virgen, in the plains region. I have had the pleasure of visiting this site on several occasions, but this is the first time that I am reviewing its architectural features.

The architectural style of the basilica is Brutalist, which as we know is characterized by the construction of large structures of raw concrete that combines the functional with the design of unconventional geometric shapes that attract much attention.

This beautiful minor basilica dedicated to the patroness saint of Venezuela is one of the most relevant architectural works of the country, and was even visited by Pope John Paul II on the day of its inauguration on February 10, 1996. It is worth mentioning that the work was interrupted on several occasions due to lack of budget, which merited the direct intervention of the Vatican, which sent the necessary economic resources for its completion.

One of the elements that attract a lot of attention even from a distance is the exterior shape of the roof, which is clearly inspired by a miter, a type of liturgical hat worn by bishops and ecclesiastical authorities.

In the interior part of the temple, we can appreciate an ample space with immense stained-glass windows with unique and extraordinary designs that show scenes of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to the Indian chief Coromoto in the year 1652 and that allow the entrance of natural light, giving a special touch to the enclosure. The polished and decorated granite floor stands out for its brightness and elegance. In the same way the roof with a majestic metallic structure in the front part and its kind of main dome over the tabernacle are a great attraction for the sight of the visitors.

If we walk a little and look closely, we can see three altars, two side altars and the main altar in the central nave, which is where the ecclesiastical ministers lead the liturgical celebrations. If we walk around the back of the main altar we can see the Throne of the Virgin, where visitors can enter and see a small image of the apparition of the Virgin Mary, actually this stamp made with tree bark is considered a very precious relic for believers.

This basilica is an important tourist attraction in the region, not only for believers and religious people, but also for all those tourists and lovers of good architecture. I hope you have enjoyed the views through the photos I have shared with you, and that if you ever travel through this part of the country, you will take the opportunity to visit this wonderful national sanctuary.