Overview:

is a stunningly beautiful Catholic sanctuary set in a dramatic gorge in Colombia. The church was built in 1754 by a local woman, María Mueces, and devoted to the Virgin Mary. It stands 96 m above the Guáitara River below. The location of the church and its ability to attract thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year makes it one of the most popular places of spiritual devotion in Colombia. The sanctuary also features an impressive architecture that reflects colonial and neo-classical styles, and contains many beautiful religious artifacts and works of art. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Colombia
Prominent Features:

1. Gothic Revival architecture: Located at the bottom of the deep canyon of the Guáitara River, the Las Lajas Sanctuary is a spectacular example of Gothic Revival architecture. With a façade covered in various colored stones and a mix of Renaissance and Baroque motifs such as pointed arches and rose windows, the crowning glory of Las Lajas is its elaborate domes that stretch up to a height of more than 70 meters. 2. Picturesque setting: Surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Andean mountain range and lush green foliage, the Las Lajas Sanctuary is an incredibly picturesque and tranquil setting. Visitors will find a peaceful atmosphere throughout the complex that often makes it feel like a tranquil oasis in the midst of the mountains. 3. Historical connection: The Las Lajas Sanctuary was built on the exact spot where legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared before a humble Indian woman and her deaf-mute daughter in the 17th century. Since then, millions of faithful Christians have visited the site ever since to venerate the apparition of the Virgin Mary. 4. Steps of La Efigie: One of the highlights of the Santuario de las Lajas is its Steps of La Efigie. This monumental 116-step staircase forms a bridge over the Guáitara River and connects the pilgrim's road from Ecuador to the Las Lajas Sanctuary. Each of the steps is adorned with carvings of angels, stars, and religious figures. 5. Museo de Lajas: Inside the Santuario de Las Lajas there is also a small museum which displays photographs and artifacts related to the history and folklore of the region. Inside the museum there are also interactive displays which enable visitors to better understand the religious and historical importance of the Las Lajas Sanctuary. This national monument of Colombia portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The history of Las Lajas Sanctuary, located in the municipality of Ipiales, in the department of Nariño, in the Southwest of Colombia, dates back to the early 18th century. The chapel was constructed in 1754 on a land granted by Don Antonio Mosquera y Salcedo. In 1754 the Virgin of Las Lajas miraculously appeared during an intense thunder and lightning storm from a large rock that was in the area, called Las Lajas, close to a deep ravine. According to locals, a deaf-mute indigenous girl named Maria Mueses, saw a beautiful lady enveloped in a blue mantle with a white veil covering her head, appear on the face of the rock. The Virgen de Las Lajas Sanctuary is located in a spectacular setting surrounded by the stream of the Guáitara River. In 1802 the chapel was elevated to the rank of sanctuary and soon thereafter, mass attendance greatly increased, leading to the considerable increase in donations, which gave way to the construction of a new sanctuary. In 1916, the engineer and Architect Mark Gaillard Martin, a student of the great Gustav Eiffel, made the first studies of the project, based upon the Eclectic style. Later on, Monsignor Albornoz, Bishop of Popayan, commissioned Father Hugo Majano to construct the sanctuary, which was built between 1916 and 1949, without using any metal, only pure materials such as ceramic, plaster and cement. Today, Las Lajas Sanctuary attracts thousands of pilgrims from Colombia and around the world. This pilgrimage site is considered to be amongst the most important sacred centers of Colombia. Las Lajas Sanctuary is also listed as a National Monument due to its great historical, religious and architectural significance. In 2017, the sanctuary was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. You must visit one of these historical places in Colombia on your Colombia tour

Interesting facts:

1. Las Lajas Sanctuary is located in the southwestern corner of Colombia in the small town of Ipiales on the border with Ecuador. 2. The Catholic Basilica, officially Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Las Lajas, is the main attraction of the Sanctuary and is considered one of the most beautiful and spiritual religious structures in the country. 3. Las Lajas Sanctuary was built in the Neo-Gothic style in 1916 in honor of the legend of a miracle. According to the legend, a deaf and mute girl and her ailing mother set out on a pilgrimage to the altar of Our Lady of Las Lajas and were healed of their ailments in front of a vision of the Virgin Mary. 4. The soaring walls of the sanctuary are decorated with spectacular stained-glass windows from the early 20th century and are one of the most impressive features of the site. 5. The Sanctuary has amazing views of the surrounding landscape, including the deep valley of the Guáitara River which winds its way at the base of the cliffs. 6. The sanctuary is the site of one of the most important Latin American pilgrimages, attracting hundreds of thousands of faithful followers. Visit one of the famous monuments of Colombia with your friends and family.