Sanctuary of Las Lajas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Las Lajas |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Catholic Church |
| Location | |
| Location | Ipiales, Nariño, Colombia |
The Sanctuary of Las Lajas is a beautiful Catholic church in Ipiales, Colombia. It is built inside the canyon of the Guáitara River. This special place is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is also known as Our Lady of the Rosary.
Many people believe that a colorful image of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus on the rock wall appeared there by itself. They think it was not made by human hands. The church you see today was built in a Gothic style, like old castles. Its construction took place between 1916 and 1949. The name Laja means "flat stone" in Spanish. It refers to the flat sedimentary rock found in the area.
This sanctuary is a very popular place for pilgrimages. Christians from Colombia and nearby Ecuador visit it often. This is because a special event, called a Marian apparition, is said to have happened here in the 1700s.
Contents
History of the Sanctuary
How the Church Began
The idea for building this church came from a story about a miracle. In the 1700s, a woman named Maria Meneses de Quiñones and her daughter, Rosa, were caught in a big storm. Rosa could not hear or speak. They found shelter between some flat stones, or Lajas. To Maria's surprise, Rosa suddenly shouted, "The Mestiza is calling me!" She pointed to a shape lit up by lightning on the stone. This was believed to be an appearance of the Virgin Mary.
This event led many people to visit the site. There were also stories of people being miraculously healed there. The image of the Virgin Mary is still visible in the stone today. It is said to be several feet deep inside the rock.
Building the Sanctuary
The first simple church at this spot was made of straw and wood. It was built in the mid-1700s. Later, around 1795, a brick chapel was built. It was about 7 meters long.
From 1802 onwards, a new, larger church began to take shape. In the late 1800s, this church was made even bigger. It was connected to the other side of the canyon with a bridge.
The church you see now was built between 1916 and 1949. People from the local community gave money to help build it. The church stands about 100 meters (328 feet) high from the bottom of the canyon. A 50-meter (164-foot) tall bridge connects it to the opposite side.
Legends and Mysteries
The Sanctuary of Las Lajas is famous for its amazing design. It is also known for stories about the Virgin Mary appearing there. Another mystery is the mural of the Virgin Mary inside the church, as no one knows who painted it. The church is built on a 50-meter (164-foot) high bridge. This bridge crosses the Guaitara River. It is less than 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the border with Ecuador.
The Story of the Apparition
According to popular belief, the Virgin Mary appeared to a woman and her deaf-mute daughter in 1754. This happened at the same place where the church stands today. The woman, Maria Meneses de Quiñones, and her daughter Rosa were near the Guaitara River. They were seeking shelter from a storm. At that moment, Rosa suddenly cried out, "Mom, the Virgin is calling me!" She pointed to an image of the Virgin Mary.
Maria kept this event a secret at first. But then something even more amazing happened. After Rosa died, Maria returned to the spot to pray for her daughter. The Virgin Mary then miraculously brought Rosa back to life! After this, Maria and Rosa could no longer keep the miracle a secret.
The Mysterious Image
The appearance of the Virgin Mary is just one of many legends linked to Las Lajas. Another mystery is the image of the Virgin Mary behind the altar inside the church. No one knows who created this image. Some say it appeared when Maria wanted to show a priest and others where her daughter had been revived. When they arrived, they saw the image of the Virgin Mary and Jesus printed on a stone wall.
It is believed that the image goes several feet deep into the stone. However, this has not been fully proven. This mysterious image attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.
Special Recognition
The church and its image have received special honors from the Pope. In 1951, Pope Pius XII gave the image a special blessing. In 1954, he raised the sanctuary to the status of a "minor basilica." This means it is a church with special importance. In 1965, the image was declared the main patroness of the Diocese of Ipiales.
Las Lajas is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Colombia. Its location near the border makes it a favorite spot for visitors from both Colombia and Ecuador.
Images for kids
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The Sanctuary of Las Lajas, a stunning church built into a canyon.
See also
In Spanish: Santuario de Las Lajas para niños
