For centuries Lake Titicaca, bordering on Peru and Bolivia, has been an important religious centre, starting long before the colonial era. However, after the Spaniards conquered the region in the 16th century Copacabana quickly grew into a Christian site of pilgrimage. The Christian elements of Copacabana are best represented in the Basilica of the Lady of Copacabana, the Cerro Calvario and the festivals.
Art and Chapel of Candles at La Basílica de Virgin de Copacabana, Bolivia
The white plastered, Moorish-style cathedral on Plaza 2 de Febrero was constructed in 1640. The building is unique in its kind thanks to a delightful blend of mudéjar domes, colourful azuleros (Portuguese-style ceramic tiles) and baroque-mestizo art.
Baroque-mestizo refers to the baroque-styled art of the Spanish combined with the local forms of art found in the highlands of Peru and Bolivia. The baroque-mestizo elements are clearly visible in the large, gold-glittering retable made of wood and plaster covered with a layer of gold, as well as in the fabulous wooden door panels depicting Ypanqui's dream of the Virgin above Lake Titicaca. The latter supposedly led to the construction of this church, which was subsequently granted the status of basilica.
The black Virgin de Candelaria, constructed by Ypanqui in 1583, still stands on the altar and is constructed of maguey cactus, a type of cactus wood. For processions a replica is used as it is said that the removal of the Virgin from the altar would lead to a destructive flood of Lake Titicaca. One of the cathedral's most remarkable events is the weekly blessing of vehicles.
On the side of the cathedral are the dark Capilla de Velas (Chapel of Candles) where candles are burned in large quantities, as well as the recently renovated museum of religious art. The entrance fee to the museum is 5 bolivianos; however, a minimum of five visitors is required as a guide is mandatory (included in the fee). The museum displays paintings, silver relics and a room with vases mainly donated by Peruvians – look for the vases carved from whalebones.
Three Main Celebrations and Festivals in Copacabana, Bolivia
Yearly there are several large celebrations to honour the Virgin of Copacabana, during which she is dressed in new robes – of which there have already been donations to last to 2050. Among those are:
- On February 2 to 5, the Fiesta de la Virgin de Candelaria, is celebrated, the Virgin's birthday so to speak. Pilgrims from Peru and Bolivia gather in Copacabana to celebrate the occasion with traditional dances and music, feasting and drinking.
- The beginning of August, around the 6th, is a holiday for the Bolivians as well as the Peruvians, which is largely celebrated in Copacabana.
- November 14/15 is called Fiesta de las Cochabambinas when especially the women of Cochabamba come to Copacabana to pay their respects to the statue.
When travelling to Copacabana to visit these festivals, make sure to book accommodation in advance since the town will be overrun by visitors and pilgrims alike. This article gives an overview of other important religious holidays in Bolivia.
Stations of the Cross at Copacabana's Cerro Calvario
It takes about half an hour to climb the 150 meter high Cerro Calvario. The path leads along the Stations of the Cross and there are seven shrines with crosses on the ridge of the mountain, representing the seven sorrows. The best time to climb the Cerro Calvario is at the end of the afternoon to witness a fabulous sunset over Lake Titicaca.
Christian Religious Sites at Copacabana, Lake Titicaca
Since the black Virgin de Candelaria started performing miracles in the 16th century, Copacabana quickly turned into a place of pilgrimage. The Christian elements are best admired in and around la Basílica de Virgin de Copacabana, walking the Stations of the Cross at Cerro Calvario or participating in a festival. Remains of religious elements from the time of the Incas are best appreciated on Isla del Sol or Isla del Luna.
Travellers to Bolivia may also be interested in:
- Three good reasons to travel to La Paz
- Forms of Public Transportation in La Paz
- The Best Way to Travel the Salt Flats of Salar de Uyuni
- Aymara New Year Celebrations
- The Che Guevara Trail in Vallegrande
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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