BASÍLICA DE CAACUPÉ

This large basilica was built in the 1980s, right in the centre, on the site of the former colonial temples. At the time of the Immaculate Conception, on December 8, hundreds of thousands of people come to the shrine. It is the most important pilgrimage in the country. It also takes place before and after December 8. Over a month or so, more than a million people in total, out of seven million inhabitants!) The faithful travel tens or hundreds of kilometres, from all parts of the country, on foot, by bicycle, on horseback, in ox carts, carrying a heavy cross, or, for some, on their knees! They come to thank the Blue Virgin for a birth, a healing, or a good harvest. If you have the opportunity, make this pilgrimage, even without being a believer, it is a unique and very impressive sight. It is possible to climb to the top of the basilica, where there is a viewpoint. Climbing up the stairs you will see large frescoes by Nino Sotelo. The legend of the Virgin of Caacupé told here in a slightly different version from that of our introduction. The Indian José is still present, but this time he comes from the Franciscan mission of Atyrá. He saved the wooden box containing the Virgin Mary from a flood and was entrusted by the Franciscan father to keep it preciously. The sanctuary was officially raised to the rank of minor basilica by the Holy See on July 11, 2015, during the visit of Pope Francis.