The Basilica of Begoña (or Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Begoña in
Spanish
Spanish might refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain:
**Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain
**Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries
**Spanish cuisine
Other places
* Spanish, Ontario, Can ...
) is a
basilica
In Ancient Roman architecture, a basilica is a large public building with multiple functions, typically built alongside the town's Forum (Roman), forum. The basilica was in the Latin West equivalent to a stoa in the Greek East. The building ...
in
Bilbao
)
, motto =
, image_map =
, mapsize = 275 px
, map_caption = Interactive map outlining Bilbao
, pushpin_map = Spain Basque Country#Spain#Europe
, pushpin_map_caption ...
, in
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
, dedicated to the patron saint of
Biscay
Biscay (; eu, Bizkaia ; es, Vizcaya ) is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lordship of Biscay, lying on the south shore of the eponymous bay. The capital and largest city is Bilbao.
B ...
, the
Virgin Begoña.
The current parish
priest
A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in partic ...
is Jesús Francisco de Garitaonandia.
History
The basilica started life in the 16th century, designed by
Sancho Martínez de Arego. It has three
nave
The nave () is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel. When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type ...
s, to which the addition of
vaults was completed in the 17th century in construction work that took a century, having started in 1511. During the time of this work, the
Gothic style began to show
Renaissance
The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history
The history of Europe is traditionally divided into four time periods: prehistoric Europe (prior to about 800 BC), classical antiquity (800 BC to AD ...
influence, and the arched mid-16th century main entrance reflects the transitional style of the Spanish architect
Gil de Hontañón. The remainder of the building remains purely Gothic in style.
During the 19th century, the basilica was damaged as a result of it forming part of Bilbao's
city wall
A defensive wall is a fortification usually used to protect a city, town or other settlement from potential aggressors. The walls can range from simple palisades or earthworks to extensive military fortifications with towers, bastions and gates ...
. The
Carlist
Carlism ( eu, Karlismo; ca, Carlisme; ; ) is a Traditionalist and Legitimist political movement in Spain aimed at establishing an alternative branch of the Bourbon dynasty – one descended from Don Carlos, Count of Molina (1788–1855) – ...
General
Tomás de Zumalacárregui
Tomás de Zumalacárregui e Imaz (Basque: Tomas Zumalakarregi Imatz; 29 December 178824 June 1835), known among his troops as "Uncle Tomás", was a Spanish Basque officer who lead the Carlist faction as Captain general of the Army during the Firs ...
was fatally injured near the basilica. The current tower and part of the exterior were designed by José María Basterra and built between 1902 and 1907.
On 16 August 1942, an incident between
Falangists and
Carlists resulted in several grenades exploding near the church. Accounts differ on number of injuries and whether any were killed,
but the incident highlighted dangerous rifts between Spanish nationalist factions and prompted a restructuring of Franco's government. A prominent Falangist, Juan José Domínguez, was controversially sentenced to death and executed by firing squad as a punishment for the incident.
Work was carried out to correct the damage, however, and from September 1993 to June 1994, extensive cleaning and restoration work was carried out on the stone and the clock face and bells were repaired. The clock tower houses 24 bells, with the heaviest weighing a tonne, and were built in
Sumiswald
Sumiswald is a municipality in the district of the Emmental administrative district in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. It is mostly known for being the manufacturing location of the Swiss railway clock.
History
Sumiswald is first mentione ...
,
Switzerland. The history of the clock tower dates back to 1922, and currently, seven different melodies can be produced.
La Salve and the basilica
The "''
La Salve''" (Spanish for "salute" or "
Hail Mary
The Hail Mary ( la, Ave Maria) is a traditional Christian prayer addressing Mary, the mother of Jesus. The prayer is based on two biblical passages featured in the Gospel of Luke: the Angel Gabriel's visit to Mary (the Annunciation) and Mary's ...
") quarter of Bilbao is so named because it is the first point where
sailor
A sailor, seaman, mariner, or seafarer is a person who works aboard a watercraft as part of its crew, and may work in any one of a number of different fields that are related to the operation and maintenance of a ship.
The profession of the s ...
s returning up the river
Nervión
, name_etymology =
, image = Nervion.jpg
, image_size = 300px
, image_caption = River Nervion with Zubizuri footbridge.
, map =
, map_size =
, map_caption =
, pushpin_map ...
, which passes through the city, were able to see the basilica's
steeple
In architecture, a steeple is a tall tower on a building, topped by a spire and often incorporating a belfry and other components. Steeples are very common on Christian churches and cathedrals and the use of the term generally connotes a religi ...
. As a result, they would start to pray to the Virgin Begoña here, thanking her for having looked after them during their time at sea.
Festivities and celebrations
The major festivals take place every 15 August (
Assumption of Mary
The Assumption of Mary is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII defined it in 1950 in his apostolic constitution '' Munificentissimus Deus'' as follows:
We proclaim and define it to be a dogma revealed by ...
), and 11 October, the saint day of Begoña. Midnight mass is celebrated on these occasions, with
pilgrimages
A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good, through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation, aft ...
taking place as locals and visitors go to worship.
According to the basilica'
website many sailors still remember the significance of the building, with "Virgen de Begoña" or "Begoña" being popular names among fleets.
The basilica is open to the public from Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 1:30pm and 4:30pm to 8:30pm.
See also
*
List of carillons
Carillons, musical instruments of bells in the percussion family, are found on every inhabited continent. The Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States contain more than two thirds of the world's total, and over 90 percent can be found in e ...
References
External links
Basilica website(best viewed in Spanish or Basque)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Basilica of Begona
Begona
Buildings and structures in Bilbao
Shrines to the Virgin Mary
Churches in the Basque Country (autonomous community)
Tourist attractions in Bilbao
Roman Catholic shrines in Spain