Las Lajas Sanctuary

Las Lajas Sanctuary

Las Lajas Sanctuary is located in Ipiales, Nariño Department, Colombia, nestled within a canyon formed by the Guáitara River. It is the world’s only valley church, named after a type of shale sedimentary rock, and is hailed as one of the most beautiful churches in the world — a must-visit destination in a lifetime.

Built in 1916, Las Lajas Sanctuary is a Roman Catholic church designed in the Gothic Revival style. The construction of the church has an intriguing backstory. In 1754, an American woman, Maria Mueces, and her deaf-mute daughter were caught in a storm in the valley when her daughter unexpectedly began to speak, saying “the friends are calling me,” and claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary appearing on a rock. They were later found and rescued on a large alluvial rock. The first church built in the valley was constructed in the 18th century and was replaced in 1802. The current church was built in 1916, standing tall above the deep canyon at over 100 meters high, with a 50-meter-high bridge connecting the church to the edge of the canyon for the convenience of visitors and worshippers.

Las Lajas Sanctuary

Must-visit reason: The world’s only valley church

Continent where the attraction is located: South America【South America】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Colombia[Colombia]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Nariño Department [Nariño Department]

City where the attraction is located: Ipiales [Ipiales]