CANDELARIA VIRGEN BASILICA

It is one of the best preserved baroque monuments in the country. When Francisco Tito Yupanqui placed his Virgin in the sanctuary, the miracles began to follow one another. The echo reached Spain, and on January 7, 1588 the King of Spain, Philip II, ordered the construction of a church. Thanks to the efforts of the Viceroy of Upper Peru, Don Pedro Fernandez de Castro, the cathedral was inaugurated in 1670, but the present basilica dates from 1820. The Renaissance and Baroque building is shaped like a cross and has five chapels, including a monumental Miserere chapel in the centre of the atrium. The Mudejar-style domes, crowning the five chapels, are covered with tiles. The most original element of the work is the open chapel, or capilla de Indios, leaning against the nave of the church. In the early years, the number of worshippers was so great that mass had to be said outside the church, so it was decided to build it. It has a square base, covered by a circular dome which is supported by four pendentives. Three arches and the wall of the church form the whole structure, which is the same height as the nave of the church. The cathedral has lost many of its ancient treasures. However, it still preserves the enormous 17th century altarpiece of its main altar, the work of Sebastian Acosta Tupak Inka, as well as numerous sculptures, among which, of course, the famous Virgin carved in maguey wood (a local cactus).

The Virgin of Copacabana is also known as the Candelaria. It is the only indigenous Virgin of Bolivia. Her face, sculpted by Tito Yupanqui, had the characteristic features of the sons of the sun (the Incas), which is why the locals call her the Virgen Morena (mixed race virgin). But, during the 19th century, some Franciscan fathers decided to whiten the features of the Virgin to give her a more Spanish appearance... Hundreds of miracles are attributed to her, which makes Copacabana one of the main pilgrimage centers in Bolivia. To admire her, you must go to the "Camarin de la Virgen", on the left in the cathedral (follow the signs). It is recessed above the altar, protected by a crystal globe and framed by stucco angels. All the faithful offer a gift to the Virgin. Unfortunately, it has been stolen in the past and a replica can now be admired.