A colossal cross dominates the skyline. This is the Monumento a los Peregrinos. It marks the traditional start of the Calzada de los Misterios. This ancient road stretches over 3.5 kilometers. It leads to the Basilica de Guadalupe.
The Monumento a los Peregrinos isn’t just a monument. It’s a testament to faith. It’s a symbol of centuries of pilgrimage. The road was sacred even before the Spanish conquest. It led to the shrine of Tonantzin. The ancient Mother Goddess. Later this became the Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Devotion to the Virgin grew. This sustained the road’s importance. Pilgrims built shrines along the way. By the 1670s a plan emerged. Architect Cristóbal de Medina Vargas proposed monuments. These would depict the 15 Mysteries of the Catholic Rosary. Construction started in 1675.
These monuments stood for 300 years. By the late 20th century only eight remained. Mexico City launched a restoration project. This was in anticipation of Pope John Paul II’s 1999 visit. The project included replacing the missing seven monuments. It also restored the street. The Calzada became a walkable promenade.
The 22-meter-high cross was placed then. Its design is based on the Cross of Evangelization. Pope John Paul II gave that cross to Santo Domingo. It marked five centuries of evangelization in the Americas. The Monumento a los Peregrinos bears a striking resemblance. Both crosses share a diagonal notch at their peak.
At the base are four figures. They represent the first evangelical pilgrims. These include Pedro de Gante Juan de Ayora and Juan de Tecto. Franciscan friars who arrived in 1523. A fourth figure represents the Dominican order. They arrived in 1526.
Pope John Paul II blessed the Monumento a los Peregrinos during his 1999 visit. The Monumento a los Peregrinos is more than a religious symbol. It’s a historical landmark. It marks a fascinating journey. Whether you’re a pilgrim or not. The Calzada de los Misterios offers a captivating walk through history. A walk that connects the past with the present. A journey through faith and devotion. A journey that continues to inspire millions.