Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Lomas de Zamora

Updated June 11, 2025

Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Lomas de Zamora In Argentina …

## Visiting the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Lomas de Zamora

Just south of Buenos Aires, in the main square of Lomas de Zamora, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Paz) is both the spiritual heart of the city and one of the most significant historic churches in the Buenos Aires Province.

Built in the 19th century on land donated by local landowner Victorio Grigera, the cathedral anchors the civic ensemble that includes Plaza Victorio Grigera and the municipal buildings. It’s an easy half-hour train ride from central Buenos Aires, which makes it a realistic half-day excursion if you’re curious about the suburbs that shaped Greater Buenos Aires.

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## Quick Facts for Travelers

– Official name: Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (Catedral Basílica Nuestra Señora de la Paz)
– Location: Antonio Sáenz 438, Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina – directly on the main square.
– Denomination: Roman Catholic; seat of the Diocese of Lomas de Zamora.
– Origins: First construction phase began in 1860; inaugurated in 1865.
– Major expansion: Transept, dome, and current sanctuary completed in 1900.
– Architectural style: Italian neo-Renaissance, with a central nave, two side aisles, a dome over the crossing, and cylindrical bell towers. de Lomas de Zamora
– Heritage status: Declared a Minor Basilica in 1965 and a National Historic Monument of Argentina in 2004.
– Distance from Buenos Aires: Roughly 15–19 km south of the city center, depending on the starting point.
– Typical visit time: 45–90 minutes is usually enough for the interior, plus more if you linger in the square. (Time estimate based on layout and size; not an official figure.)

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## A Short History: From Votive Promise to Basilica

### 19th-Century Origins

The story of the cathedral begins in 1860, when Victorio Grigera donated the land that would become the religious and civic core of Lomas de Zamora: the cathedral site, Plaza Victorio Grigera, and the municipal buildings.

That same year, local residents — in a country still marked by internal conflict — agreed to build a temple dedicated to Our Lady of Peace as a lasting plea for peace and protection. Under the pontificate of Pope Pius IX, the cornerstone was blessed on 16 December 1860. The ceremony was led by Bartolomé Mitre, then governor of the province and later president of Argentina, together with Canon Gabriel Fuentes from Buenos Aires.

The original design was entrusted to Genoese architects Nicolás and José Canale, well-known figures in 19th-century Argentine architecture. de Lomas de Zamora The church was inaugurated on 22 January 1865, just a year after the founding of the town (then called Pueblo de la Paz).

### Expansion at the Turn of the Century

By the late 19th century, the growing town needed a larger and more imposing temple. In 1898, construction began on the transept, dome, and current sanctuary. This phase was led by architects Juan Ochoa and Domingo Selva, and was completed in 1900, giving the cathedral much of its present silhouette.

### Basilica and National Monument

In 1965, for its centenary, the church was elevated to the rank of Minor Basilica by Pope Paul VI, formally recognizing its importance in the Catholic life of the region.

Decades later, Argentina’s national authorities declared the cathedral a National Historic Monument through Decree No. 1.020/2004, emphasizing both its architectural and historical value within the country’s heritage network.

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## Architecture & Art: What to Look For Inside and Out

### Neo-Renaissance Italian Style

The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is a textbook example of Italian neo-Renaissance architecture transplanted to the Buenos Aires suburbs. de Lomas de Zamora

Key features visitors can clearly identify include:

– Three-nave layout: A higher central nave flanked by two lower side aisles. de Lomas de Zamora
– Dome over the crossing: A dome rises above the intersection of the nave and transept, creating a natural focal point when you stand beneath it. de Lomas de Zamora
– Classical façade with three doors: The façade is organized into three entrances, one for each nave, reflecting the interior plan. de Lomas de Zamora
– Cylindrical bell towers: Short, cylindrical towers with domed tops flank the façade — a distinctive element compared with the slender Gothic spires found in some other provincial cathedrals. de Lomas de Zamora

Between 1944 and 1946, the portico was remodeled; semicircular windows were added over the side doors and low bell towers with hemispherical domes were incorporated, further refining the façade you see today. de Lomas de Zamora

### The Image of Our Lady of Peace

One of the most important devotional artworks inside the cathedral is the image of Our Lady of Peace, the church’s patron.

– The sculpture was carved in Spain and donated by Juana Zorrilla de Grigera, a member of the family that played a central role in the town’s early development. de Lomas de Zamora
– It is inspired by a work of Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio) and depicts the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus offering an olive branch — a clear symbol of peace. de Lomas de Zamora
– The image was enthroned in the cathedral around five years after its inauguration, meaning that devotion to Our Lady of Peace developed alongside the town itself. de Lomas de Zamora

The cathedral also houses various altars, liturgical objects, and historic images, many of them of recognized heritage value, although detailed catalogues are typically only available locally. de Lomas de Zamora

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## Living Faith: Liturgical Life and Major Celebrations

As the seat of the Diocese of Lomas de Zamora, the cathedral is the main venue for diocesan liturgical events. Among the celebrations held here:

– The Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday.
– The Corpus Christi solemnity and its associated processions.
– Special feasts honoring Our Lady of Peace, including pilgrimages and local processions that draw faithful from across the region. de Lomas de Zamora

For the 160th anniversary of the arrival and enthronement of the image of Our Lady of Peace (2023–2025), the diocese announced a jubilee biennium with additional events and activities focused on the cathedral’s history and Marian devotion. de Lomas de Zamora

Recent parish communications (including the cathedral’s Instagram account) show a full calendar of weekday and Sunday Masses, along with baptisms, weddings, and other sacramental celebrations. Because schedules can change, especially for special liturgical seasons, it’s best to confirm times close to your visit (see “Practical Information” below).

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## Practical Information for Your Visit

### Getting There from Buenos Aires

– By train:
– Direct trains run from Estación Constitución in Buenos Aires to Lomas de Zamora on the Roca line.
– Typical journey time is about 26–27 minutes, with frequent departures (around every 10 minutes, according to recent timetables).

– By bus:
– Several bus lines connect central Buenos Aires with Lomas de Zamora; representative routes from the Constitución area take around 40–45 minutes, depending on traffic.

– By car or taxi:
– Road distance from central Buenos Aires is in the 17–27 km range, depending on the route and how you define the “center.” Typical driving times are about 18–30 minutes in normal traffic.

Once in Lomas de Zamora, head toward Sáenz 438 / Antonio Sáenz 438, right on the main square. The façade faces Plaza Victorio Grigera, making it easy to spot.

### Opening Hours, Masses, and How to Check for Changes

Recent listings and parish social-media posts indicate:

– Regular weekday Masses at midday and early evening.
– Weekend Masses on Saturday evening and several times on Sunday.

However, Mass schedules are time-sensitive information and may change due to liturgical seasons, local events, or parish decisions. To avoid relying on potentially outdated data:

– Check the cathedral’s official Instagram account (@catedraldelomas) for up-to-date schedules.
– You can also call the published parish telephone number (+54 11 4243-1451) for confirmation before planning a special visit around a specific Mass.

Trip-planning platforms and older reviews describe the cathedral as beautiful but note that some parts of the building show signs of aging and could use more maintenance; keep in mind that these impressions may pre-date any recent restoration work.

### Visit Etiquette

There are no globally published house rules, but standard church etiquette in Argentina applies:

– Dress respectfully, especially if you plan to attend Mass.
– Keep voices low; this is an active place of worship, not just a monument.
– Ask before using flash photography or filming during services; local customs can vary, and posted signs or staff guidance should be followed.

These are general norms rather than cathedral-specific regulations.

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## The Cathedral in the Life of Lomas de Zamora

Lomas de Zamora is a major economic and commercial center in the southern part of the Greater Buenos Aires area. The cathedral and Plaza Victorio Grigera form the historic “center of gravity” of the city, both spiritually and symbolically:

– The 1865 construction of the original church is closely linked with the early growth of the town. Britannica
– The urban ensemble of plaza + cathedral + municipal buildings is officially recognized within Argentina’s catalogue of protected monuments.

If you’re interested in understanding Greater Buenos Aires beyond the capital, a stop at the cathedral gives you a grounded sense of how 19th-century religious, civic, and commercial spaces were planned around a central square and parish church.

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## Accessibility and Inclusive Travel Notes

Key Highlights

• Prominent central location on Lomas de Zamora’s main square (Plaza Grigera)
• Historic 19th-century construction with foundations tied to national figures
• Twin towers and ornate façade visible from surrounding streets
• Stained glass windows, carved altars, and notable religious artworks inside
• Active cathedral and minor basilica serving as the diocesan seat

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