The Basilica of Begoña (or Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Begoña in
Spanish) is a
basilica
In Ancient Roman architecture, a basilica (Greek Basiliké) was a large public building with multiple functions that was typically built alongside the town's forum. The basilica was in the Latin West equivalent to a stoa in the Greek Eas ...
in
Bilbao
Bilbao is a city in northern Spain, the largest city in the Provinces of Spain, province of Biscay and in the Basque Country (greater region), Basque Country as a whole. It is also the largest city proper in northern Spain. Bilbao is the List o ...
, in
Spain
Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
, dedicated to the patron saint of
Biscay
Biscay ( ; ; ), is a province of the Basque Country (autonomous community), Basque Autonomous Community, heir of the ancient Lordship of Biscay, lying on the south shore of the Bay of Biscay, eponymous bay. The capital and largest city is Bilb ...
, 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 deity, deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in parti ...
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 ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...
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 (military), earthworks to extensive military fortifications such as ...
. The
Carlist
Carlism (; ; ; ) is a Traditionalism (Spain), Traditionalist and Legitimist political movement in Spain aimed at establishing an alternative branch of the Bourbon dynasty, one descended from Infante Carlos María Isidro of Spain, Don Carlos, ...
General
Tomás de Zumalacárregui
Tomás de Zumalacárregui e Imaz (Basque language, Basque: Tomas Zumalakarregi Imatz; 29 December 178824 June 1835), known among his troops as "Uncle Tomás", was a Spaniards, Spanish Basques, Basque officer who led the Carlism, Carlist faction ...
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. Six Falangists were convicted in the incident. One of them, Juan José Domínguez, was controversially sentenced to death and executed by firing squad.
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,
Switzerland
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. 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 or Ave Maria (from its first words in Latin), also known as the Angelic or Angelical Salutation, is a traditional Catholic prayer addressing Mary, the mother of Jesus. The prayer is based on two biblical passages featured in the ...
") 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. While the term ''sailor'' ...
s returning up the river
Nervión
Nervión (; ) is a river that runs through the town of Bilbao, Spain into the Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay). Its lowermost course, downstream of its confluence with the Ibaizabal River, is known as the Estuary of Bilbao.
Geography
The riv ...
, 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 relig ...
. 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 Catholic Mariology#Dogmatic teachings, Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII defined it on 1 November 1950 in his apostolic constitution as follows:
It leaves open the question of w ...
), and 11 October, the saint day of Begoña. Midnight mass is celebrated on these occasions, with
pilgrimages
A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place, which can lead to a personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life. A pilgrim (from the Latin ''peregrinus'') is a traveler (literally one who has come from afar) who is o ...
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
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