Colombia - Las Lajas Cathedral Sanctuary

COLOMBIA

On the borders between Colombia and Ecuador in a teeming jungle canyon is a beautiful sanctuary, Las Lajas Cathedral, a wonder to its visitors. Las Lajas Cathedral is situated among the remote mountains of southwestern Colombia, municipality of Ipiales and is considered one of the most brilliant pilgrimage shrines in the world. The church stands on stone stilts spanning a raging river and the view includes dense forest and a towering waterfall. 

The inspiration for the church's creation was a result of a miraculous event in 1754 when an Amerindiannamed Maria Mueses de Quinones and her deaf-mute daughter Rosa were caught in a very strong storm near Las Lajas ("The Rocks"). Weary of the climb, Maria Mueses de Quinones sat down on a rock when Rosa spoke for the first time about an apparition in a cave.

Later on, a mysterious painting of the Virgin Mary carrying a baby was discovered on the wall of the cave. Supposedly, studies of the painting showed no proof of paint, dye or any other pigments on the rock. Instead, when core samples from several spots in the image were taken, they were found that the colors were perfectly impregnated in the rock itself to a depth of several feet. This apparition of the Virgin Mary caused pilgrimages to this location, with occasional miraculous cases of healing reported. It is now known as the Virgin of Santisima. The miraculous image on the stone is still visible today. Today, this image of the Virgin Mary is located on a 45 m high rock, which can be seen on the back of the Las Lajas Cathedral. 

Our Lady of Las Lajas

The construction of the fabulous Las Lajas started at the beginning of last century. The church is of Gothic revival architecture. The foundations of the church were laid in 1916 and finally Las Lajas was completed in 1944. The official dedication of the church was on August 20, 1949. Las Lajas Cathedral is designed so that the image of the Virgin Mary is visible form its highest altar. The church was built entirely with donations from local people, replacing an old nineteenth-century small wooden chapel.

In 1951 the Roman Catholic Church authorized the Nuestra Señora de Las Lajas virgin, and it declared the sanctuary a minor basilica in 1954.

Today the Las Lajas Cathedral is a place for pilgrimages by many thousands of pilgrims from both Colombia and Ecuador. The easiest way to the fabulously beautiful church is by taxi from the station into the near by city of Ipiales. Do not miss the opportunity to stop on the high cliff and look at Las Lajas, which stands magnetically down the canyon of the river.

Border Crossing [1]

From Ipiales the bus drops you off outside the Colombian migration office where you get your exit stamp. From here walk down the stairs across the car park to the building in front of you just up the slight hill, you need to go around to the other side of the building to join the line of people waiting for their entry stamp for Ecuador (this may take a while). When getting issued your stamp ask if you can have the tourist card (T-3) stapled into your passport or your may end up begging not to have to pay the USD$200 for a new one if you lose it.

After receiving your stamp, get a mini-bus outside. This will drop you off at the bus station in Tulcun. Here you can expect to be rushed by men trying to get you on their bus bound for Quito or whereever else you maybe going. They are harmless just watch your stuff and do not let them push or drag you around.

Read more Our Lady of Las Lajas.