What is the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana?

The Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana is a well-known Spanish colonial shrine from the 1500s, sitting in Copacabana, Bolivia. Inside it, there is the admired statue of the Virgen de Copacabana, who is considered the patron of the country, so it ends up being one of South America’s biggest Catholic pilgrimage places, you could say.

In architectural terms, the bright white basilica really stands out because of its Moorish domes and colourful azulejo tiles. Outside the church, people can often observe the singular “Ch’alla” ceremony where priests bless newly bought vehicles with holy water and then flower petals, in a way that merges Catholic customs with indigenous Andean ideas.