About The Basilica Cathedral of Florida in Florida, Uruguay:
Florida was originally called Villa Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Note: the word “Florida” is pronounced in Spanish as
flo-REE-dah, with the stress on the second syllable.
The current building was completed in 1843 and expanded later. In 1957, the priest Juan Francisco Larrobla blessed the first flag of Uruguay at the original church.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de los Treinta y Tres) in Florida, Uruguay:
The shrine is located within he Basilica Cathedral of Florida. This national shrine houses a small 18th-century wood carving of the Virgin Mary which is of Guarani origin (the original occupants of this area) and dates to the 18th century. It became known as “Our Lady of the Thirty-Three” after 33 Uruguayan patriots prayed before it before fighting for independence from Spain.
The shrine at the Basilica Cathedral of Florida was consecrated by Pope John Paul II during his Apostolic Visit in 1988.