Basílica Menor Nuestra Señora de Lourdes

Updated April 15, 2024

## Basílica Menor Nuestra Señora de Lourdes (Chapinero, Bogotá): Neo-gothic icon with living parish life

Address: Cra. 13 #63-27, Chapinero, Bogotá, Colombia
Coordinates: 4.6495531, −74.0623099
Google rating (context): 4.7/5

### Why this church matters
Rising over Plaza de Lourdes in Chapinero, this neo-gothic landmark is both an architectural statement and a busy parish. The Archdiocese of Bogotá confirms its Minor Basilica status (granted on 11 February 2016) and—timely for 2025—its designation as a Jubilee temple for the Jubilee of Hope, drawing pilgrims seeking indulgences through confession, prayer, and the Eucharist. web oficial de turismo de Bogotá

### A fast, accurate snapshot
– Style: Neo-gothic (ogival/pointed arches, soaring volumes, rich cornices, and a square central tower). web oficial de turismo de Bogotá
– Beginnings: Ordered in 1875 by Archbishop Vicente Arbeláez to replace a small thatched chapel founded by Fray Antonio María Garzón. web oficial de turismo de Bogotá
– Project lead: Early designs by Julián Lombana, a student of the Danish architect Thomas Reed (National Capitol, National Museum).
– Milestones: Parish service began by 1904; a 1917 earthquake damaged the second level of the central tower; major interior works and stained-glass installations continued through the 1940s–1950s (including a German pipe organ arriving 1950).
– Art glass: Vivid German stained glass and a marble high altar frame the canonically crowned image of Our Lady of Lourdes (coronation in 1988). web oficial de turismo de Bogotá

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## Architect’s eye: what to look for
– Façade composition: A square main tower flanked by small turrets and crisply profiled portals with ogival arches—a Colombian interpretation of continental gothic vocabulary. web oficial de turismo de Bogotá
– Light & color: Polychrome German windows wash the nave with color; much of the original image remains intact, contributing to why the temple earned basilica rank. web oficial de turismo de Bogotá
– Historic layers you can read: Structural repairs after 1917, mid-century lighting fixtures and windows (documented 1940–1955), and the 1950 pipe organ—evidence of a long build-and-finish cycle common to major Latin-American churches of the era.

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## Visiting essentials (2025)

### Mass schedule (Eucharist) — verified parish times
As posted by the Archdiocese/Parish for 2025 (subject to occasional transmission/power issues noted by the parish):

– Mon–Fri
Individual: 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m.
Communal: 12:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m.
– Saturdays
Individual: 8:00 a.m., 12:00 m., 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m.
Communal: 10:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
– Sundays
Individual: 7:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
Communal: 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 m., 6:00 p.m.
– Holidays: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. (communal), 12:00 m. (communal)
– Every 11th of the month: special celebrations for the sick; healing rosary after the 5:00 p.m. Mass.
– First Friday: Divine Mercy chaplet at 3:00 p.m.
– First Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Mass in English (useful for travelers). de Bogotá

> Important: Schedules are maintained by the parish and can change for special events. Check the parish page before your visit. de Bogotá

### How to get there (without guesswork)
– TransMilenio: Alight at Calle 63 station, then walk one block toward the Eastern Hills to reach the church on Cra. 13 #63-27. Buses along Carrera 13 and Carrera 7 also work. Admission is free. web oficial de turismo de Bogotá

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## Short history you can trust
– In 1875, Bogotá’s archdiocese commissioned a new church for Chapinero. Architect Julián Lombana produced designs that effectively launched Colombia’s first neo-gothic basilica project. Although long construction phases followed, the parish was functioning by 1904. The 1917 earthquake damaged the central tower’s second level, prompting later repairs; interior fit-out (lighting and stained glass) progressed into the 1940s–1950s, and a German pipe organ arrived in 1950. On 11 February 2016, the temple was elevated to Minor Basilica—a title recognizing historical, architectural, and pastoral significance.

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## Practical tips for travelers
– Photography etiquette: It’s an active parish—avoid flash during Mass and give worshippers personal space. (General courtesy; verify signage on arrival.)
– English-friendly option: If you prefer liturgy in English, plan for the first Saturday 5:00 p.m. Mass. de Bogotá
– Pair it smartly: Chapinero is a food and café hub; visiting before/after Mass pairs well with exploring nearby dining corridors along Carrera 13 and Carrera 7 (use current city listings to choose venues).
– Transit timing: Calle 63 is a convenient TransMilenio access point; outside rush hour, the walk to the plaza is straightforward. web oficial de turismo de Bogotá

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## What’s special right now (2025)
The basilica is a Jubilee temple for the Jubilee of Hope 2025, noted by the Archdiocese. Expect themed liturgies, catechesis, and pilgrim activity throughout the year. If you’re making a devotional visit, inquire at the parish office about confession availability and any pilgrim guidance linked to indulgences. de Bogotá

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## Accessibility & inclusivity notes (accuracy-first)
– The parish explicitly schedules a Mass in English monthly (first Saturdays), which helps non-Spanish-speaking visitors participate fully. de Bogotá
– Official sources do not publish detailed step-free or restroom accessibility specifications. If mobility access is crucial, contact the parish office listed on the Archdiocese site before you go. (Avoiding assumptions maintains accuracy.) de Bogotá

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## Need-to-know facts at a glance
– Neighborhood: Chapinero (central-northern Bogotá).
– Plaza setting: The church dominates Plaza de Lourdes, a reference point for the district.
– Interior highlights: German stained glass, marble high altar, and the canonically crowned image of the Virgin (1988). web oficial de turismo de Bogotá

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### Sources used for verification
– Parish/Archdiocese (official) — schedules, Jubilee 2025 designation, English-language Mass, contact details. de Bogotá
– Visit Bogotá (city tourism) — directions via TransMilenio, historical synopsis, art glass, 2016 basilica elevation, and 1988 canonical coronation. web oficial de turismo de Bogotá
– Semana (historical feature) — architect Julián Lombana, construction timeline (1875 start; 1904 services), 1917 quake damage, 1940s–50s works, 1950 organ, and 2016 Minor Basilica decree recap.

> Data hygiene & freshness check (Nov 9, 2025): Mass times and Jubilee status are drawn from the parish’s 2025 pages; transit directions and history are corroborated by Bogotá’s official tourism portal and a detailed historical article. If you encounter different on-site schedules (holiday liturgies, special events), defer to posted parish notices. de Bogotá

Note: Internal link suggestions omitted to avoid guessing URLs; use your site’s Bogotá category pages (e.g., “Chapinero cafés” and “Things to do in Bogotá on Sundays”) where appropriate.

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