One tragic event forever shaped the Basílica de San Francisco de Asís. It happened on June 16 1955. This basílica is also known as Restauración de Fe. Sectors of the Armada bombed Plaza de Mayo. They tried to overthrow Juan Domingo Perón. In retaliation, Peronist civilians set fire to several churches. The Basílica de San Francisco de Asís also suffered. The fire destroyed much of the temple. The dome, stained glass and main altar were affected.
Restauración de Fe stands as a testament to faith. It is a symbol of resilience. Its story began long before the fire. The basilica’s history stretches back centuries. Its roots are intertwined with the city’s origins.
The first temple began in 1604. The Franciscans started construction. Fray Martín Ignacio de Loyola led them. He was the bishop of Paraguay. The church sits where the basilica stands today.
Construction of the current building started in 1726. Jesuit Andrés Bianchi and Fray Vicente Muñoz spearheaded it. They aimed to expand the original structure. They wanted to make it more beautiful.
In the early 20th century, architect Ernesto Sackmann added Baroque elements. He worked on the neoclassical structure. These details define the basilica today. In 1919, Pope Benedict XV gave it the title of basilica. Its importance in the country’s religious community was cemented.
After the devastating fire, restoration efforts began in the 1960s. Some losses were irreplaceable. The original Guaraní altarpiece was one such loss. The recent restoration sought to restore the basilica’s splendor. Decades of deterioration had taken their toll.
The restoration started in January 2017. The church closed because of structural problems. These issues compromised its safety. Leaks in the roofs caused damage. Walls were crumbling. Humidity damaged the marble.
Architect Adriana Mónica de Castro led the restoration. She described the critical state of the structure. The first step was to reinforce the exteriors. They repaired roofs and walls to prevent further leaks. Next, they worked on the interiors. This required delicate work.
Restoring the monumental tapestry was a major challenge. Artist Horacio Butler created it in 1969. It adorns the main altar. The tapestry replaced the original altarpiece. It was destroyed in the 1955 attack. The tapestry is titled La glorificación de San Francisco. It depicts the saint’s ascent to heaven. Angelic figures surround him.
The tapestry measures eight meters wide by 12 meters high. It weighs 300 kilos. Castro called it a key piece in the restoration. It is the largest in South America. It is the second largest of its kind in the world. Its restoration was monumental. It was fundamental to restoring the basilica’s identity.
The restoration of the stained glass was also central. The originals were destroyed in the 1955 fire. They depicted the life of San Francisco. The explosion from the fire completely destroyed them. Restorers recreated the stained glass. They followed the original designs. They added protective glass. This delicate process was essential. It maintains the spiritual atmosphere of the temple.
Religious images were cleaned. Work was done on two of the eleven altarpieces. Nine more remain to be restored. The colors and shapes were respected. This preserved the place’s authenticity.
Fray José Enid Gutiérrez is the basilica’s rector. He assumed his position two years ago. He was key to the temple’s reopening. The basilica is a spiritual refuge. Generations of locals have found solace here. The restoration was a group effort. Seeing people return is very moving.
The reopening ceremony was emotional. It was held on September 17. Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva presided. The church was full of people. They wanted to reconnect with this special place. The blessing of the basilica marked a new chapter.
Today the Basílica de San Francisco de Asís stands renewed. It’s a symbol of faith. It represents the enduring spirit of Buenos Aires. Its doors are open. It welcomes all to experience its history. It offers its beauty once more.