Mexico/Tlaxcala: Tlaxcala – Basilica de Ocotlan

On the high hill above the city of Tlaxcala stand an absolutely stunning church (a UNESCO World Heritage candidate) – Basilica de Ocotlan, one of Mexico’s most spectacular religious complexes. The Basilica is a sight of pilgrimage for Catholics from all over the country and beyond as apparently the Virgin appeared here briefly 1541 (during her Mexico trip back then). The basilica was built in 1670. The white and red building is lavishly adorned with sculptures and stucco on the outside that is almost fairytale-like, considered as the highpoint of Baroque style in Mexico. The interior is nothing less then absolutely surreal – there’s so much gold and gilded everything here, you are almost blinded. Statues of every possible biblical character and saint are starring at you from everywhere, as do various apostles and multiple versions of suffering Jesus.