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Content publication date

May 28, 2013

The canonization of the Colombian Mother Laura represents a new opportunity for religious tourism to Colombia, since it already has several routes enjoyed by international travelers.

The traditions and monuments of the Catholic faith that have been followed in Colombia for several centuries are today considered high value tourist attractions for those who look to deepen their spirituality and learn about the local culture.

More and more travelers opt for destinations associated with their interests. According to a study on religious tourism carried out in 2009 by the Department of Tourism Development of Guanajuato (Mexico), the desire to get closer to religion by visiting its most representative locations, is part of this trend.

"Colombia has great potential in this segment because of the endless number of unique experiences accessible to those who practice the Catholic faith. Only in our country is it possible to worship the Virgin in a temple built a century ago in the middle of a chasm, or fulfill a promise to God by walking up a hill situated more than 3,000 meters above sea level," stated Maria Claudia Lacouture, PROCOLOMBIA president.

The the processions of Mompox, Pamplona and Popayan are some of the most important religious celebrations. The aspects that set each one apart, their antiquity, or the multitudes that congregate around them, have aroused the interest of travelers, as well as gaining them international awards. 

One such award is the Intangible World Cultural Heritage Site declaration. In 2009, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), recognized the traditional sculpture parade through the streets of Popayan, in the department of Cauca, to the south-west of the country. This parade represents the passion and death of Christ.

Santa Cruz de Mompox, a small village in the department of Bolivar (north), had similar luck in 1995. It was declared a Historical World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO, and is the site of the only marching processions in Colombia.

The municipality of Pamplona, in Norte de Santander, stands apart not only because of the devotion of the people, but also because of the detail in the figures carried during the Stations of the Cross, or the recreation of the 14 steps of Christ from his arrest in the olive grove to his burial.

Faith Also Comes Through Sight

Apart from participating in the practices associated with Easter, those who travel to Colombia for religious purposes also visit the buildings and monuments that were constructed during the country's more than six centuries of adherence to the Catholic faith.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Las Lajas, in the locality of Ipiales (Nariño), and the Basilica of the Lord of Miracles, in Buga (Valle del Cauca), are very popular among foreigners, according to Orlando Mosquera, Director of Redetur Colombia.

"The majesty of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Las Lajas leaves a strong impression on those who follow my "Spiritual Trail". They find it hard to believe, even being there, that it is such a large and ancient structure. But above all, it is beautiful particularly for its architectural preservation," stated the entrepreneur.

The "miracle of God over the abyss", so named because of the apparition of the Virgin of the Rosary at this site at the end of the 18th century, is made up of three naves erected over a bridge that crosses the Guaitara River. A plaza is connected to the site on the other side of the canyon, whose rocky formation is part of the structure. It is classified by experts and visitors as an architectural wonder.

Mosquera's clients, who come mostly from Central and South America, have a similar reaction when they visit the Basilica of the Lord of Miracles in Buga. The temple, which was given this title in 1937 by Pope Pius XI, is classified as an icon of religious tourism in Colombia.

It stands out among Colombia's tourist attractions due to its impressive architecture, its valuable ornaments such as the statue of the Holy Redeemer, which is forged in iron and rests between the two towers, and the sonorous belfry from France, but especially because of its popularity among the faithful.

Thousands of Colombian and foreign pilgrims visit this prayer center each year to fulfill a promise in exchange for a favor granted, or to make a particular request.

The Sanctuaries of the Christ-child and of the Fallen Lord of Monserrate, created in honor of the mentioned personifications of the Catholic Messiah and situated in Bogota, also bring together a great number of believers for the Sunday services. Miracles such as the cure of illnesses are attributed to the fervent prayers to these figures.

Other cities, such as Cali in Valle del Cauca (south-west) and Tunja in the department of Boyaca (central), are home to other types of attractions such as museums and convents or monasteries, where a wide-ranging academic and cultural schedule of events is held throughout the year. This includes sacred music concerts, conferences and exhibitions about religious art, and even Masses in Latin.

Colombia, Birthplace of a New Saint

The canonization of Mother Laura (1874-1949), announced by the Vatican last February 11, which will take place in Rome on May 12, has ignited Catholics' interest in the founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate and Saint Catherine of Siena. They are anxious to visit the place where she was born and where her work made a difference.

Although her community and its work with indigenous groups have spread across the continent, the life of the first Colombian to be named a saint unfolded mainly in Antioquia, the department where she was born. For this reason, this region of the north-east of the country is now on the radar of international travelers.

Tour operators even prepare a tour of the missionary's path. This includes the house where she was born, today converted into a museum, the font where she was baptized, and the temple in Medellin, capital of Antioquia, where her mortal remains rest.

The national government works hand in hand with the regional authorities to, on the one hand, strengthen the tourism infrastructure of this town, and on the other, train tour operators and service providers in this cultural niche, which is currently being promoted in seven countries in Latin America (Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago).