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Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Las Lajas: A Gothic Marvel

Discover the breathtaking Santuario de Las Lajas, a neo-Gothic basilica nestled in a stunning canyon near the Colombia-Ecuador border. A pilgrimage of faith and architectural wonder.

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The Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Las Lajas, or Las Lajas Sanctuary, is a stunning basilica located in the canyon of the Guáitara River near Ipiales, Colombia. This neo-Gothic church, built between 1916 and 1949, replaced an earlier shrine from the 18th century and has become a significant pilgrimage site due to legends of Marian apparitions.

A brief summary to Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Las Lajas

  • Santuario De Las Lajas, Potosí, Las Lajas, Ipiales, Narino, CO
  • Visit website
  • Monday 9 am-6 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-6 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-6 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-6 pm
  • Friday 9 am-6 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-6 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-6 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during the dry season (December to March or July to August) for pleasant weather and clear skies.
  • Take a taxi or colectivo from Ipiales to the sanctuary, about a 15-minute ride.
  • Consider taking the cable car for unique views of the basilica and surrounding canyon.
  • Explore the museum to see pre-Columbian objects and religious art from the region.
  • Be aware that the walk down to the basilica is easy, but the return walk is uphill.
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From Ipiales, taxis are readily available to take you to Santuario de Las Lajas. The journey is approximately 15 minutes. A taxi ride will cost around 15,000-20,000 COP. Be sure to confirm the price with the driver before starting your journey.

  • Public Transport

    Colectivos (shared taxis) are a budget-friendly option from Ipiales to Las Lajas. You can find them across from the main entrance to the bus terminal. The cost is approximately 3,000 COP per person. The ride takes about 15-20 minutes.

  • Cable Car

    An alternative way to reach the Sanctuary is via cable car. The cable car station is located outside of Ipiales, en route to the church. A one-way ticket costs 10,000-12,000 COP on weekdays and slightly more on weekends. A round-trip ticket costs 16,000-20,000 COP. The cable car offers scenic views of the Guáitara River canyon.

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Discover more about Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Las Lajas

Nestled in the southwestern Colombian state of Nariño, near the border with Ecuador, the Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Las Lajas is an architectural marvel and a testament to centuries of faith. The sanctuary is built within the canyon of the Guáitara River, approximately 7 km from the city of Ipiales. The history of Las Lajas Sanctuary is rooted in a miraculous event that reportedly occurred in 1754. According to the tale, María Mueses de Quiñones, a local indigenous woman, was traveling with her deaf-mute daughter, Rosa, when they sought refuge from a storm in a cave. It was then that Rosa spoke for the first time, claiming to see a mestizo woman with a child in her arms. Later, the image of the Virgin Mary was said to have miraculously appeared on a stone wall inside the cave, which led to the construction of a small shrine. The current neo-Gothic church was constructed between 1916 and 1949, replacing previous structures. Designed by architects J. Gualberto Pérez and Lucindo Espinosa, the basilica rises 100 meters from the bottom of the canyon and is connected to the opposite side by a 50-meter-tall bridge. The church's architecture features pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, characteristic of the Gothic Revival style. The exterior is primarily constructed of gray and white stone, while the interior boasts white walls with gold trim and stained-glass windows. Today, the Santuario de Las Lajas is a popular pilgrimage site for Christians from both Colombia and Ecuador. Thousands of pilgrims visit the basilica each year to venerate the image of Our Lady of the Rosary and seek blessings. The shrine was elevated to a minor basilica in 1954 and remains an active church with frequent services.

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