Santuario de la Virgen de Lo Vásquez, Catholic pilgrimage shrine in Casablanca, Chile
Santuario de la Virgen de Lo Vásquez is a Catholic pilgrimage church located in Casablanca, south of Valparaíso in Chile. The complex features a chapel housing a wooden Virgin Mary statue, surrounded by areas where pilgrims gather for regular masses and confession services.
The shrine was established in the mid-1800s when a priest placed a Virgin Mary statue in a rural barn near a main road. Over time, the site expanded and served as a school building for many years before becoming a major pilgrimage center.
The site draws hundreds of thousands of devotees each December, many traveling on foot or by bicycle from across the region to honor the Virgin Mary. This annual gathering reflects the deep spiritual connection local communities maintain with the shrine.
The shrine is easily accessible via the main road between Valparaíso and Santiago and provides basic facilities for visitors. Those planning to walk should wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water, especially when visiting during busy pilgrimage periods.
The shrine has survived multiple severe earthquakes, particularly in 1851 and 1985, and was rebuilt each time with reinforced materials. These reconstruction efforts significantly altered the site's appearance and reflect the community's determination to preserve the place.
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