November 6, 2015
On my way back down to Ecuador I stopped at Ipiales and Sancuario de Las Lajas, which makes it onto lists of the most beautiful churches in the world.
Legend has it a lady was walking past the area with her deaf daughter, when her daughter exclaimed 'Mama I hear the mestiza!' So she told people, and they built a church there. That was 1754. The current building was constructed between 1916 and 1949, the third building to occupy the canyon.
The road down to it and the walls around are covered with plaques that people bring in thanks to the Virgin for miracles received. It makes for an impressive sight.
They range from professionally engraved stone and metal, to what was clearly a broken bathroom tile that had been scratched into. The oldest one I saw was from 1965, the newest from 2015.
I don't know if there is an official tiling procedure or if you just bring your plaque and some plaster and find some space.
The sanctuary was beautiful, and it only had 3 walls. The back of the alter just butted up against the rock wall of the canyon.
It made me wonder about seepage and dampness when it rains, but I didn't feel like hopping the railing of the alter in front of a bunch of praying people to take a closer look.
You'll understand.
The doors of the sanctuary had fish carved in them.
There were angels playing instruments everywhere. I didn't actually take any pictures of them. But here's another one.
I walked down into the basement crypt area too.
There is a museum, but I was chasing daylight for my border crossing so I decided to leave it for another time.
It's got a good view from above as well
The canyon had a river at the bottom and a waterfall on the wall. It was lovely.
On the way back to the terminal, I took a short walk to photograph this magnificent statue. Like can we talk about this for a second?
It's got wizards and genies coming out of it's wings, and there's a jester riding it's head.
Like really. Have you ever seen such a majestic beast. Look at his rainbow eyes.
A nice little detour for a couple of hours. And next stop the Ecuador beach!
On my way back down to Ecuador I stopped at Ipiales and Sancuario de Las Lajas, which makes it onto lists of the most beautiful churches in the world.
Legend has it a lady was walking past the area with her deaf daughter, when her daughter exclaimed 'Mama I hear the mestiza!' So she told people, and they built a church there. That was 1754. The current building was constructed between 1916 and 1949, the third building to occupy the canyon.
The road down to it and the walls around are covered with plaques that people bring in thanks to the Virgin for miracles received. It makes for an impressive sight.
They range from professionally engraved stone and metal, to what was clearly a broken bathroom tile that had been scratched into. The oldest one I saw was from 1965, the newest from 2015.
I don't know if there is an official tiling procedure or if you just bring your plaque and some plaster and find some space.
The sanctuary was beautiful, and it only had 3 walls. The back of the alter just butted up against the rock wall of the canyon.
It made me wonder about seepage and dampness when it rains, but I didn't feel like hopping the railing of the alter in front of a bunch of praying people to take a closer look.
You'll understand.
The doors of the sanctuary had fish carved in them.
There were angels playing instruments everywhere. I didn't actually take any pictures of them. But here's another one.
I walked down into the basement crypt area too.
There is a museum, but I was chasing daylight for my border crossing so I decided to leave it for another time.
It's got a good view from above as well
The canyon had a river at the bottom and a waterfall on the wall. It was lovely.
 |
| Canyon panorama |
On the way back to the terminal, I took a short walk to photograph this magnificent statue. Like can we talk about this for a second?
It's got wizards and genies coming out of it's wings, and there's a jester riding it's head.
Like really. Have you ever seen such a majestic beast. Look at his rainbow eyes.
 |
| Look at them! |
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