For years it has been on my Colombia wishlist: a visit to the famous cathedral Las Lajas in Ipiales. I flew to Pasto to finally witness this architectural wonder with my own eyes. To describe it in one word: impressive. On the border between Ecuador and Colombia, you’ll find Las Lajas in quite a remote corner of the country. But if you have the chance: visit this wondrous place. In this article I’ll tell you all about Las Lajas, of course including all the practical information on how to get there and when to visit. Are you ready? Admire a church in a place like you never saw it!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In the town of Ipiales, just 10 kilometers from the Ecuadorian border, you’ll find number two of Colombia’s seven wonders. Las Lajas. Or Santuario de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora del Rosario de Las Lajas<\/em> as the church is actually called. The basilica is built in a gorge in the rocks above the swirling Guitara River. Las Lajas is 100 meters high from the ground to the tower and over the bridge you walk at 50 meters.<\/p>\n According to the legend, in 1754, an Indian mother and her deaf-mute daughter took shelter in the gorge during severe weather. When the daughter received an apparition from the Virgin Mary, she began to speak for the first time in her life. A painting of Mary remained on the rocks, revered as miraculous. Following this legend, a small chapel was built in the gorge in the 19th century. To replace this chapel, the present neo-Gothic Las Lajas was built between 1916 and 1949.<\/p>\n\n\t\t