BASÍLICA DE CAACUPÉ

This large, centrally-located basilica was built in the 1980s on the site of former colonial temples. On December 8, the day of the Immaculate Conception, hundreds of thousands of people gather at the shrine. This is the country's most important pilgrimage. It also takes place before and after this date, over a period of about a month, for a total of over a million pilgrims (out of a population of seven million!). The faithful cover dozens or even hundreds of kilometers, on foot, by bicycle, on horseback, in an ox-drawn cart, carrying a heavy cross, or, for some, on their knees! They come to thank the Virgin Mary for a birth, a cure or a good harvest. If you get the chance, make this pilgrimage, even if you're not a believer - it's a unique and very impressive sight. You can climb to the top of the basilica, where there is a viewpoint. On the way up, you'll see large frescoes by Nino Sotelo. The legend of the Virgin of Caacupé is recounted here in a slightly different version than in our introduction. The Indian José is still present, but this time from the Franciscan mission in Atyrá. He saves the wooden box containing the Virgin Mary from a flood and is entrusted by the Franciscan father to keep it preciously... The shrine was officially elevated to the rank of minor basilica by the Holy See on July 11, 2015, during the visit of Pope Francis.