VIRGEN DE ITACUÁ

The Virgin of Itacuá is the protector of sailors on the Paraná River. Devotion began in the early ^20th century, when sailors sought divine protection to pass through a tricky passage at this point. On December 8, as in Caacupé, thousands of pilgrims flock to the shrine. On Sundays, too, mass is held in a boat-shaped basilica. The shrine lies at the end of the Tupasy Rapé, a road that climbs for 8 km. Along the way, pilgrims are accompanied by the Virgin of each Latin American country.