Where is the tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe?

Where is the tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe?

Since 1531 the Tilma has been keep in a church at the foot of Tepeyac Hill, where the apparitions occurred. This site is located in the north of modern Mexico City.

The original church was succeeded in 1709 by a new shrine (now referred to as the Old Basilica). There the image remained until 1974, when owing to earthquake damage and sinking into the soft soil of the old Basilica, the Tilma was moved to the adjacent new Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. There it hangs above the main altar.

What was Juan Diego's tilma made of?

The tilma was made from agave thread, a very fragile fabric that is known to disintegrate in 20-40 years. The tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the only existing agave fabric from the 16th century, even though it was left unprotected for over a hundred years. In that time, the tilma was exposed to smoke and incense and was also touched by many people every day.