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Basilica de
Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles
(Our Lady of the
Angels Basilica), a basilica in Costa Rica, located in the city of Cartago and
dedicated to the Virgen de los Prados, officially known as la Virgen de los
Ángeles (the Lady of the Angels). The basilica was built in 1639 and was
partially destroyed by an earthquake. The basilica has since been restored and
constitutes a unique mix of colonial arquicture as well as the XIX century
byzantine style.
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels is dedicated to
the Virgin of Cartago, a small representation of the Virgin carrying the infant
Jesus, said to have been discovered by a peasant girl in Cartago. Due to the
dark complexion of the stone, she is sometimes affectionately called "La
Negrita" or "Reina de Cartago" (lit. Queen of Cartago). In 1824 an official
decree declared the Virgin of the Angels the official patron of Costa
Rica.
The Basilica is the object of extensive pilgrimage and visitation
by believers throughout the country, many of whom join in the celebrated 22km
walk to the basilica during the romería.
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