Tepeyac

Tepeyac refers to a prominent hill located in the northern part of Mexico City. Historically, it was a significant natural landmark and a place of worship for indigenous peoples long before the arrival of the Spanish. Archaeological evidence suggests it was a sacred site associated with the Aztec mother goddess Tonantzin.

In the 16th century, Tepeyac gained immense importance in Catholic tradition. According to popular accounts, the Virgin Mary appeared multiple times to an Indigenous man named Juan Diego in December 1531 on the slopes of Tepeyac Hill. These apparitions culminated in a miraculous sign, a field of Castilian roses blooming in winter and imprinted on Juan Diego's tilma, a cloak made of maguey fiber.

This event led to the construction of a shrine at Tepeyac, which has since evolved into the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Today, the Basilica is one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world, drawing millions of devotees annually, especially during the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. The area around Tepeyac has become a major religious and cultural center, deeply intertwined with Mexican identity and faith.