5 religious tourism destinations to visit in Latin America

On World Tourism Day, which is celebrated every September 27 as an occasion to highlight the value of this activity that every year mobilizes millions of people around the world, we share five unmissable destinations to perform religious tourism in Latin America.

Whether as pilgrims or visitors, millions of people visit different places of worship motivated by spirituality, faith and interest in knowing the sacred heritage of each place. If you consider yourself one of them, do not visit these five places so valuable for the Catholic faith of Latin America:

1. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico)

If you do religious tourism in Latin America, you should not stop greeting the Empress of America, Santa María de Guadalupein its temple located at the foot of the Tepeyac hill, north of Mexico City, which every year receives millions of visitors.

It is the most visited Marian enclosure in the world, and one of the most faithful Pilgrimage destinations receives every year.

Although shortly after the apparitions of 1531 a small hermitage was established in the area for the veneration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the one considered “ancient” basilica was built at the end of the 17th century. Due to the sinking of the temple, in the second half of the twentieth century the new basilica was built, whose doors opened in 1976. There the original image of Santa María was currently guarded, miraculously appeared in the Tilma of San Juan Diego almost 500 years ago.

2. Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Conception Appeared (Brazil)

Ubicated in Vale do Paraíba, between the rhyth of January y Sao Paulo (Brazil), this sanctuary He is the greatest dedicated to the Virgin in the world.

It is located in the valley where the Paraíba River runs, the scene of the appearance of this Brazilian invocation.

At present, the sanctuary is in charge of the Redeemer religious, responsible for pastoral and administration, as well as the service to pilgrims who since 1894 come from different parts of the country and the world.

Three popes have visited it: San Juan Paul II in 1980, Benedict XVI in 2007, and Francisco in 2013.

The first temple in honor of the appeared mother was built in 1745. The current building dates from 1946, but religious activities began only in 1982, with the transfer of the image of the Virgin from the “Old Basilica”, a building that welcomes the pilgrims today.

In 1983 he was declared a National Sanctuary by the Bishop Conference of Brazil.

3. Basilica of Our Lady of Luján (Argentina)

Located in the Buenos Aires city of Luján (Argentina), 70 kilometers from Buenos Aires, the Basilica and National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Luján It is the main pilgrimage destination of Argentines, attracting millions of faithful every year, especially in the traditional youth pilgrimage, which takes place the first weekend of October.

The imposing temple, in a neo -Gothic style, was built between 1890 and 1935.

On the eve of the 400 years of the miracle of Luján, the Basilica Tourism and Heritage Area opened some sectors that were restricted to the public. The visit to the place includes access to the crypt, where you can find the images of more than 70 Marian warnings, and the Historical Museum, where the original crown of the Virgin is preserved. Some of the circuits also allow you to climb the towers.

4. Sanctuary of Santa Rosa de Lima (Peru)

Passing through Peru, you should not miss your visit to Sanctuary of Santa Rosa de Limalocated in the historic center of the capital.

The temple was built in 1728 in the place where Isabel Flores de Oliva, Santa Rosa de Lima, was born and lived. There are the room where its youth, an altar and two paintings of the seventeenth century, as well as the first image of Santa Rosa, made approximately 1670.

There is also a room where the holy cured the sick, in whose center there is an image of the child God known as “The Doctor”, whom she resorted to attend serious cases.

5th Cathedral of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)

If you are interested in the story, you should not stop traveling through the Primada Cathedral of America. This is the Minor Basilica of Santa María de la Encarnación, Cathedral of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic.

Located in the colonial city, it is the oldest church on the continent. Pope Julio II sent her to build in 1504. The works began in 1512 and, although she had not been completed, she was consecrated in 1541.

It is characterized by a Gothic style, with rolled vaults. There is a great artistic treasure made up of altarpieces, paintings, cabinetries, furniture, monuments and tombstones.

For a while, the remains of Christopher Columbus remained there, which were then transferred to Cuba, to finally deposit in the Cathedral of Seville (Spain).