Minor Basilica of the Virgin of Montserrat, Minor basilica in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico.
This minor basilica in Hormigueros is a church building with a distinctive bell tower showing Moorish design features. Inside are several chapels arranged for different religious services and prayer, each serving its own purpose.
The original chapel construction started in the late 1500s under a Catalan estate owner, though archaeological evidence points to earlier religious structures on the site. This long history of worship and faith in the area shaped what stands here today.
The Virgin of Montserrat holds deep significance in regional religious life and draws pilgrims regularly from across Puerto Rico. Her Black Madonna statue represents a spiritual connection that ties faith and local identity together for those who come to pray.
The church opens daily for visitors and holds regular services, with space for personal prayer available throughout the year. Keep in mind this is an active pilgrimage site that can become crowded, especially during certain religious periods.
Local tradition tells of the founder meeting a mysterious Black woman who helped him find his missing daughter, which inspired him to build this place. This story remains part of how locals connect to the site and its origins.
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