Basílica de San Carlos Borromeo y María Auxiliadora, Catholic basilica in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Basílica de San Carlos Borromeo y María Auxiliadora is a church in Buenos Aires that blends Lombard Romanesque and Byzantine design styles. It spans three levels connected by staircases near the main altar: a crypt containing 16 altars below, a middle temple for worship, and an upper temple above, all topped by a five-meter statue of Mary at the central dome.
Construction of this basilica took place between 1900 and 1910 under architect Ernesto Vespignani, working under the oversight of the Salesian Order. The project emerged during a period of significant church building in Buenos Aires and helped shape the city's religious landscape at the start of the 1900s.
The Salesian community has shaped this place since its opening, making it a center for worship and spiritual gatherings. The three-aisled layout and the organ create a setting where people still come for prayers and musical performances.
Access to the different levels is through staircases near the main altar, allowing visitors to explore the crypt and upper temple at their own pace. Wearing modest clothing and being quiet during services shows respect for worshippers and helps you experience the space without disruption.
The church houses a notable Carlo Vegezzi Bossi organ from 1911 that remains among the city's most important musical instruments. Few visitors realize that this instrument still sounds regularly in concerts, adding another dimension to the space's architectural beauty.
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