| What makes it historical? |
This colossal basilica surrounds a tiny chapel called the Porziuncola, which was a gift from the Benedictines to St. Francis of Assisi around 1211 AD in thanks for restoring some of their churches around Assisi! The origins of the Porziuncola are murky, though some believe it was the work of hermits under the direction of Pope Liberius in the 300s AD! It was the inspiration for St. Francis to start his own order, based in poverty and humility, and it was here where St. Francis died in 1226. You’ll recognize the Franciscans for their involvement in the conquest of Spanish California!
The definitely less humble basilica was the project of Pope Pius V, who funded the design work of Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola and Galeazzo Alessi between 1569 and 1578! One earthquake and five Piuses later, the Tenth elevated this cathedral to a major basilica. This was one of the few places where Catholic folks could receive an indulgence, or a free ticket to Heaven, on August 1 and 2!
Many years later, on August 2, 1769, the Portolá Expedition encountered a river, and because of the special date, Father Juan Crespí gave it the Spanish name El Río de Nuestra Señora La Reina de Los Ángeles de Porciúncula. The pueblo that sprouted up on its banks in 1781 took that name too, shortened over the years to Los Angeles! |
