Basilica of Our Lady of Mercies, Yarumal, Colombia
The Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy (Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de la Merced) stands in Yarumal, Colombia, as one of the town’s most important religious landmarks. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa de Osos. It also serves as the parish seat of the same name. The basilica honors the Virgin of Mercy, who is the patron saint of the church. It functions as the titular church of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga.
Architects designed the church in the Renaissance Revival style to replace Yarumal’s first smaller church. Construction began in 1866, but builders faced many challenges. These included high costs, civil wars, a partial collapse in 1890, and an earthquake in 1938. These setbacks delayed completion until 1944, when the church opened after consecration. During construction, the Chapel of Saint Aloysius, formerly the cemetery chapel, temporarily served as the parish church.
The basilica has a rectangular plan divided into three sections. Its main façade features two domed towers joined by the central nave. Inside, the church houses several notable artworks. One of them, Nuestra Señora de la Merced, is a 1798 painting of the Virgin of Mercy that many devotees consider miraculous.
In 1998, the Municipal Council of Yarumal recognized the basilica and the Chapel of Saint Aloysius as cultural and architectural landmarks. A year later, Pope John Paul II granted it the title of Minor Basilica. Since 2000, the building has preserved the remains of Epifanio Mejía, the poet who wrote the Himno Antioqueño.
Basilica of Our Lady of Mercies, Yarumal, Colombia
Airways
Travelers can reach the Basilica of Our Lady of Mercies from two nearby airports. Olaya Herrera Airport in Medellín lies about 123 kilometers away, while José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro is around 142 kilometers from Yarumal. Both airports offer regular domestic flights to major Colombian cities.
Railways
Yarumal does not have a railway station. The closest rail connections operate in Medellín, which travelers can reach by road in roughly three hours.
Roadways
The Basilica of Our Lady of Mercies stands in the center of Yarumal, easily accessible by car, taxi, or intercity bus. Buses leave frequently from Medellín’s North Bus Terminal, located 123 kilometers away, and follow the scenic Medellín–Montería Highway through the mountains of Antioquia.
Verified listing