23-03-2023
Architecture
Las Lajas: the church suspended in the Colombian canyon
The sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary is impressive not only for its fibreglass mosaics, but above all for its location in a picturesque environment such as the Colombian canyon.
Whether underground or suspended, made of all sorts of materials or architectural styles, there are peculiar churches all over the world.
Today, we want to focus on a particular worship building that seems to be suspended among the huge natural walls of the Colombian canyon. We are talking about the Roman Catholic basilica of Las Lajas. The architecture of this sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary was inspired by a Gothic style, which was popular in the 19th Century in Europe and later exported to South America.
The construction of the Las Lajas church was largely financed by local faithful and took around 33 years (1916-1949) for its final realisation. There are several fibreglass mosaics depicting scenes of Jesus and Saints' life, but there are also many large stained glass windows through which the sun's rays are filtered. But the further beauty of this sanctuary lies in the apse made of natural canyon stone. At the end of this ther is the statue of the Madonna and Child, a recollection of the miraculous episode that brought to the construction of this church in such a special place as the canyon.
The building of the sanctuary in the Colombian canyon is therefore due to an event that took place in 1754. According to legend, Our Lady appeared to Rosa, a deaf-mute child and daughter of Maria Mueces, an Amerindian woman.
In general, the church of Las Lajas is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture, with an imposing façade, bright interiors, but above all, it represents a spectacular sanctuary in an even more atmospheric setting.
Today, we want to focus on a particular worship building that seems to be suspended among the huge natural walls of the Colombian canyon. We are talking about the Roman Catholic basilica of Las Lajas. The architecture of this sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary was inspired by a Gothic style, which was popular in the 19th Century in Europe and later exported to South America.
The construction of the Las Lajas church was largely financed by local faithful and took around 33 years (1916-1949) for its final realisation. There are several fibreglass mosaics depicting scenes of Jesus and Saints' life, but there are also many large stained glass windows through which the sun's rays are filtered. But the further beauty of this sanctuary lies in the apse made of natural canyon stone. At the end of this ther is the statue of the Madonna and Child, a recollection of the miraculous episode that brought to the construction of this church in such a special place as the canyon.
The building of the sanctuary in the Colombian canyon is therefore due to an event that took place in 1754. According to legend, Our Lady appeared to Rosa, a deaf-mute child and daughter of Maria Mueces, an Amerindian woman.
In general, the church of Las Lajas is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture, with an imposing façade, bright interiors, but above all, it represents a spectacular sanctuary in an even more atmospheric setting.