The Cathedral of The Sanctuary or Lajaras is located in the river canyon Guaitara, in the village of Las Lajas municipality of Ipiales, seven kilometers from the town municipal center, in the department of Nariño in southern Colombia and 10 km of the border with Ecuador.
La Catedral de Las Lajas in Colombia, was built in 1916 at a site where, according to local legend, the Virgin Mary appeared. History tells us that an Aboriginal woman named Mary Mueses de Quiñones was carrying her deaf-mute daughter Rosa on her back near Las Lajas. When tired of the climb, Mary sat down on a rock when Rosa, her mute daughter, spoke (first time) about an apparition in a cave.

Photography by olliethebastard

Then a mysterious painting of the Virgin Mary carrying a baby was discovered in the cave wall. (more…)