2-370-732 - Samuel Magal/Sites & Photos/Heritage Images

Fresco detail, Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Zaragoza, Spain, 2007. Catedral-Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar. According to Christian tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to St James when he was preaching nearby, shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus. She gave him a statue of herself and a column of Jasper and commanded James to build a church in her honour. James did as he was asked, building a small chapel that was the first of several churches to stand on the site. The current basilica was built between 1681 and 1872 in Baroque style.