The story starts in 1630 with a tiny, terracotta statue which was transported on an oxcart to Santiago del Estero. When the oxcart got stuck in mud, nothing could make it budge until the statue was removed. It was taken as a sign that the 18 inches high statue of the Virgin wanted to stay here. In time a small shrine grew into one of Argentina's major places of pilgrimage. The Capital of Faith was born and the Virgin became not only the patron saint of Argentina but also of Uruguay and Paraguay.
Architecture of Basílica Nuestra Señora de Luján
From the enormous and mostly empty Plaza Belgrano the sight of the 106 metres high French neo-Gothic Basilica is nothing less than impressive. The construction took 48 years [1887 - 1935] and the church was built with pink stone from the river town of Colón. Among its sculptures on the outside are the four evangelists and the twelve apostles. Inside, the stained glass windows and elaborate altars deserve attention, although the main attraction will be watching the masses that come to worship La Virgencita.
The Virgin of Luján – the Patron Saint of Argentina
She is placed high on the main altar and a spiral staircase leads up to the sanctuary, where people honor her and offer flowers, money or other gifts. Around the altar leads a staircase which is completely covered in commemorating plaques, thanking La Virgencita for a miracle performed or aid given.
Under the basilica the crypt can be visited, featuring many statues of the Virgin from all over the world.
Pilgrimages to Basílica Nuestra Señora de Luján
- May 8th is the festival of "Santa imagén de Nuestra Señora de Luján", the main event of the year which attracts enormous crowds.
- The last Sunday of September presents one of Argentina's religious-cultural activities, when the pilgrimage of gauchos [cowboys] – on their horses – takes place. Thousands of gauchos from Argentina and the surrounding countries arrive to pay their respects to the Virgin of Luján.
- One week later it's time for the fans on foot, called the "Pilgrimage of the Young", when thousands of pilgrims walk 65 kilometres, about 18 hours, from the barrio of Liniers in Buenos Aires to Luján.
- For more information, check out the website of Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Luján.
Transportation from Buenos Aires to Luján
Luján lies 65 kilometres west of the Capital of Buenos Aires and can easily be reached by highway [from which the basilica is visible]. Other means of transport to Luján are the bus [Luján's bus terminal is three blocks from the basilica] or the train which leaves from Estación Once in Buenos Aires.
Karin-Marijke Vis - Karin-Marijke Vis is a bilingual writer (Dutch-English) who has been traveling in Asia and South America since 2003.
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