Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Black-and-white postcard: Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude in Oaxaca


I love black-and-white photography, and that format works really well for this dazzling real photo postcard of the Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude in Oaxaca, Mexico.

The printing on this postcard calls it the "TEMPLO DE LA SOLEDAD." Also printed on the front of postcard are "Osuna" and "A 1." Printed on the back of the postcard, which was never used, are TARJETA POSTAL and, in the stamp box, "Papel Kodak" and "SELLO." (Sello is the Spanish word for stamp.)

Here are some facts about the basilica, courtesy of Wikipedia and Fodor's Travel.

  • Its official name in Spanish is Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.
  • It was built between 1682 and 1690.
  • According to legend, a mule that had mysteriously joined a mule train bound for Guatemala perished at the site of the church; a statue of María de la Soledad was discovered in its pack, and the event was construed as a miracle, with the church being constructed to commemorate it.
  • It was specifically built to withstand earthquakes.
  • It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
  • It contains a baroque pipe organ that dates to 1686.

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