Las Lajas Sanctuary, Gothic Revival church in Ipiales, Colombia
Las Lajas Sanctuary is a basilica in grey and white stone that spans a canyon at 2,600 meters altitude, joined to both sides of the gorge by a 50-meter bridge. The building rises directly from the cliff face, anchored into the rock walls of the canyon.
Construction began in January 1916 and lasted until August 1949, replacing a smaller church from the previous century. The site marks the spot where a mute girl is said to have regained her ability to speak.
Thousands of ceramic plaques cover the interior walls, each one expressing thanks for answered prayers and healing. Pilgrims from across South America continue this tradition, adding new tablets year after year.
A shared taxi from the bus terminal in Ipiales takes around fifteen minutes and drops visitors near the entrance. Alternatively, a cable car system operates from the town to the site.
The basilica stands on foundations carved directly from the bare rock of the canyon walls. Its location was chosen to honor the spot where a mute woman reportedly recovered her voice.
Location: Ipiales
Inception: 1949
Architectural style: Gothic Revival
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Website: http://laslajas.org
GPS coordinates: 0.80550,-77.58600
Latest update: December 5, 2025 06:40
This collection presents neogothic architecture from the 19th and early 20th centuries, when architects across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania revived medieval building forms. The movement began in Britain and spread worldwide, employing pointed arches, flying buttresses, ribbed vaults and stone spires. This architectural language was used for churches, universities, government buildings and railway stations. The collection includes religious structures like Cologne Cathedral and Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, government buildings such as the Parliament Complex in Ottawa and the Palace of Westminster in London, educational institutions like the University of Glasgow Main Building, and transport hubs including St. Pancras Station in London and Victoria Terminus in Mumbai. These structures demonstrate how architects adapted medieval techniques to modern building materials and functions.
Colombia presents geographic diversity that spans Caribbean coastlines, Andean highlands, Pacific forests, and eastern plains. The country encompasses colonial architecture in towns like Barichara and Mompox, where centuries-old stone buildings and churches reflect Spanish heritage. Natural formations include the Tatacoa Desert with its red sandstone canyons, the seasonal colors of Caño Cristales river, and the coastal dunes at Punta Gallinas marking South America's northernmost point. Coffee-growing regions such as Jardín preserve traditional Antioquian architecture, while islands like Providencia and Gorgona protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems in both Caribbean and Pacific waters. From the arid landscapes of La Guajira Desert inhabited by Wayuu communities to the neo-Gothic architecture of Las Lajas Sanctuary bridging a river canyon, these locations demonstrate the country's contrasts. Visitors can explore mountain trails, observe astronomical phenomena in clear desert skies, discover colonial goldsmithing traditions, and witness humpback whale migrations. Each destination contributes to understanding Colombia's environmental and cultural range, offering experiences that vary from remote wilderness areas to well-preserved historical settlements across different elevations and climates.
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