The History of the Catholic Basilica

The story starts in 1630 with a tiny, terracotta statue which was transported on an oxcart to Santiago del Estero. When the oxcart got stuck in mud, nothing could make it budge until the statue was removed. It was taken as a sign that the 18 inches high statue of the Virgin wanted to stay here. In time a small shrine grew into one of Argentina's major places of pilgrimage. The Capital of Faith was born and the Virgin became not only the patron saint of Argentina but also of Uruguay and Paraguay. She is placed high on the main altar and a spiral staircase leads up to the sanctuary, where people honor her and offer flowers, money or other gifts. Around the altar leads a staircase which is completely covered in commemorating plaques, thanking La Virgencita for a miracle performed or aid given. May 8th is the festival of "Santa imagén de Nuestra Señora de Luján", the main event of the year which attracts enormous crowds. The last Sunday of September the pilgrimage of gauchos [cowboys] – on their horses – takes place and thousands of gauchos from Argentina and the surrounding countries arrive to pay their respects to the Virgin of Luján. One week later it's time for the fans on foot, called the "Pilgrimage of the Young", when thousands of pilgrims walk 65 kilometres, about 18 hours, from the barrio of Liniers in Buenos Aires to Luján.