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Basilica of El Cisne

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Basilica of El Cisne

Basilica of El Cisne, Minor basilica and national shrine in Loja Province, Ecuador.

Description

The Basilica of El Cisne is a Gothic-style church located at 2,440 meters elevation in the mountains, marked by tall spires and intricate wood carvings throughout. Inside, multiple chapels create dedicated spaces for prayer and worship, all built with careful architectural detail.

History

Construction of this shrine began in the early 1900s when local residents sought a place of worship modeled after other religious sanctuaries in Latin America. The project was completed to serve the growing number of pilgrims seeking spiritual connection in the mountains.

Culture

The cedar wood statue of the Virgin Mary serves as the spiritual center of this place and draws believers from across the region to pray and seek blessings. This image represents a living religious tradition that continues to shape how locals and visitors experience faith here.

Practical

Religious services happen throughout the week, and visitors can take time to explore the chapels and admire the carved details. The site is best visited during daylight hours when natural light illuminates the interior details.

Did you know?

The wood statue was carved by a local artist in 1594, making it one of the oldest religious artworks in the region. Each year this figure is carried on foot down the mountain through a large procession to the nearby city below.

Architectural style
Gothic architecture
GPS coordinates
-3.85086,-79.42646
Latest update
December 9, 2025 18:40

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Ecuador).

« Basilica of El Cisne - Minor basilica and national shrine in Loja Province, Ecuador » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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