Nuestra Señora del Rosario y San Benito de Palermo, Paysandú, Minor basilica in downtown Paysandú, Uruguay
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Benedict of Palermo is a Catholic parish church in Paysandú, Uruguay. The current temple was built in 1860 and later rebuilt after being severely damaged during the 1864–1865 siege of Paysandú. It is dedicated to Saint Benedict the Moor and the Virgin of the Rosary.
The parish was established in 1805 by Benito Lué y Riega, bishop of Buenos Aires. The current temple was built in 1860, severely damaged during the siege of Paysandú in 1864–1865, and rebuilt afterwards. In 1949 Pope Pius XII proclaimed it a minor basilica.
The church is dedicated to Saint Benedict the Moor and the Virgin of the Rosary, a pairing reflected in its full name. Beyond Masses, the temple serves as a venue for cultural events, and a fundraising committee is working toward its full restoration.
The basilica welcomes visitors along Montecaseros Street between 18 de Julio and Florida avenues in the city center. Regular masses occur throughout the week and the doors are open for visitors during daytime hours.
The Walcker organ inaugurated in 1906 was built by the German firm Walcker Orgelbau and is still played at services and concerts. A committee is currently raising funds for the complete restoration of the building that houses it.
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