Las Lajas Sancuary is an amazing church built over a river that has cut a gorge into the mountain. The story goes that in 1754 a mother sought safety from a storm in this valley with her deaf, mute daughter. During the storm, the daughter said the Mestiza (woman of European or mixed European descent) is calling me. The mother looked to see an apparition of the virgin mary. Shortly thereafter a shrine was erected. The church pictured above was constructed from 1916 to 1949.
This is truly an amazing place. For me, this was a destination. If you are passing between Colombia and Ecuador at Ipiales - Tulcan, this is a must stop. I arrived late in the evening, so I stayed in Ipiales. Had I arrived earlier in the day and known there were some hotel options here, I would have chosen to stay near the sanctuary.
How beautiful are these old churches. I wish I could see this, maybe on my second visit to Ecuador.
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