- Address: Ipiales, Nariño, Colombia
- Phone: +57 318 3702627
- Website: diocesisdeipiales.co
Catholic churches are an ornament of many cities and states. If you want to discover the beauty of Colombia , start a visit to this many-sided country with a visit to the church of Las Lajas. It is not only a grandiose construction and a popular tourist destination, but also a favorite place for the Colombians themselves.
Acquaintance with the temple
Geographically, the church of Las Lajas refers to the department of Colombia Nariño and is located near the border with Ecuador . It is about 7 km southeast of the city of Ipiales in the canyon of the Guaita River.
A beautiful legend is associated with the building of the temple, according to which earlier in its place the river washed an unkind cave, which the locals carefully avoided. So it was until September 15, 1754, when inside the stone arch during a thunderstorm one poor woman Maria Mueses from the Indian tribe and her deaf-mute baby Rose was the Virgin herself. After that, the holy face of the Virgin with the baby appeared on the surface of the rock. The girl was healed and began to talk, and the flow of pilgrims has not dried up and growing since then.
Stages of the construction of the temple of Las Lajas
First, the first parishioners built a small chapel near the stone icon, where you could put candles and flowers, and ask for help and healing. Over the next 60 years, gradually emerged the second, and then the third Colombian temple of Las Lajas: the premise of the chapel could no longer accommodate all comers.
Somewhat later, by 1916, a considerable amount of donations from grateful believers was collected, and it was decided to build a fourth temple, the project of which more resembled a real castle. During the construction of the present fortress of the Catholic faith, the idea of a new bridge was realized. Both sides of the gorge now connect a magnificent stone arch bridge 30 meters high. The opening of the Las Lajas church for visitors took place in August 1948. The Colombian and Ecuadorian communities volunteered to take care of the temple, as one of the proofs of the friendship of two neighboring peoples.
What is interesting about the Cathedral of Las Lajas?
According to the type of structure, the church of Las Lajas is referred to the basilica - a rectangular structure with an odd number of naves (arches). The Cathedral of Las Lajas in Colombia is a neo-Gothic structure and stands on a lace bridge across the river.
The church altar and the most important relic, as before, is a stone icon. It was never restored or decorated. But even today it is possible to admire with surprise its brightness and clarity of the image. For about 250 years around the temple of Las Lajas pilgrims have been installed several thousand small tablets with words of gratitude. Believers believe that the face of the Virgin heals and a number of modern diseases, as well as adultery and drug addiction.
The rock icon Senora de las Lajas and faith in a miracle pushes people to travel thousands of kilometers to visit the holy place. Only some of the tourists visit the cathedral because of its unusual architecture and familiar European beauty. The Church of Las Lajas is considered one of the seven wonders of Colombia.
How to visit the temple?
The easiest way to get to the church of Las Lajas and capture it in the photo is a taxi from the town of Ipiales. There are no bus services to the cathedral. You can also become a member of an organized guided tour or try to get yourself to a place on a rented car.