Basilica of Los Angeles - Most beautiful place to explore in Cartago, Costa Rica

While driving around San Jose and Cartago towns of Costa Rica, if I have to tell you the most beautiful architectural piece - that would be Basilica of Los Angeles and this was most special place for us in Cartago city.

While driving around San Jose and Cartago towns of Costa Rica, if I have to tell you the most beautiful architectural piece - that would be Basilica of Los Angeles and this was most special place for us in Cartago city. 


Above photograph shows the front part of Basilica of Los Angeles and it's reflection in water puddle. Most of this part of Costa Rica sees rains in second half of the day during the month of May, when we were visiting. This photograph is clicked from parking area of the Basilica of Los Angeles.     Related Blogpost - How to reach and main things to do in Monteverde Town of Costa Rica (PURA VIDA)    The Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles is a Roman Catholic basilica in Cartago town of Costa Rica and is dedicated to the Virgen de los Pardos, officially known as Virgen de los Angeles (the Lady of the Angels). Over the years, this is one of the most popular basilica amongst Costa Rican people because of religious reasons and amongst tourists because of it's beautiful architecture. This is one of the most beautiful places we saw around San Jose and Cartago towns of Costa Rica and especially from Architecture perspective. This post shares some interesting facts about Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, tips to make best of your visit to this beautiful basilica and other information which can help you plan your trip in a little better way.

Above photograph shows the front part of Basilica of Los Angeles and it's reflection in water puddle. Most of this part of Costa Rica sees rains in second half of the day during the month of May, when we were visiting. This photograph is clicked from parking area of the Basilica of Los Angeles. 



The Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles is a Roman Catholic basilica in Cartago town of Costa Rica and is dedicated to the Virgen de los Pardos, officially known as Virgen de los Angeles (the Lady of the Angels). Over the years, this is one of the most popular basilica amongst Costa Rican people because of religious reasons and amongst tourists because of it's beautiful architecture. This is one of the most beautiful places we saw around San Jose and Cartago towns of Costa Rica and especially from Architecture perspective. This post shares some interesting facts about Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, tips to make best of your visit to this beautiful basilica and other information which can help you plan your trip in a little better way. 

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels was built in 1639 and was partially destroyed by an earthquake. The basilica has since been restored and constitutes a unique mix of colonial architecture as well as 19th century Byzantine style, the current building dates back to 1939.  Other Blogpost from Costa Rica - Tour of our room at Four Seasons Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels was built in 1639 and was partially destroyed by an earthquake. The basilica has since been restored and constitutes a unique mix of colonial architecture as well as 19th century Byzantine style, the current building dates back to 1939.


The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels is about a small representation of the Virgin Mary carrying the infant Jesus, said to have been discovered by a peasant girl in Cartago. Stories claim that the little girl found the small statue on a rock and took it home. The next morning she found that the statue was not there but back at the rock, so she took it to the priest and he locked it in a small box. The next morning the statue was back at the rock. During the construction, the church was destroyed by earthquakes so many times, it was finally decided to move it to the location where the statue was found and they were able to finish construction. Many people think that the earthquakes were signs that the Lady of Los Ángeles wanted the basilica built there. Isn't that super exciting. I had photograph of this idol but I lost all Costa Rica photographs because of iPhone crash. The ones shared in this post are fetched from facebook which were shared while we were on the trip and were sharing live updates with blog-viewers & social media followers.   Other blogpost from Costa Rica - Irazu Volcano National Park - Must visit place around San Jose & Cartago cities of Costa Rica

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels is about a small representation of the Virgin Mary carrying the infant Jesus, said to have been discovered by a peasant girl in Cartago. Stories claim that the little girl found the small statue on a rock and took it home. The next morning she found that the statue was not there but back at the rock, so she took it to the priest and he locked it in a small box. The next morning the statue was back at the rock. During the construction, the church was destroyed by earthquakes so many times, it was finally decided to move it to the location where the statue was found and they were able to finish construction. Many people think that the earthquakes were signs that the Lady of Los Ángeles wanted the basilica built there. Isn't that super exciting. I had photograph of this idol but I lost all Costa Rica photographs because of iPhone crash. The ones shared in this post are fetched from facebook which were shared while we were on the trip and were sharing live updates with blog-viewers & social media followers. 


Owing to the dark complexion of the stone statue, she is sometimes affectionately called La Negrita or Reina de Cartago . The original statue is kept in a golden shell inside the basilica. An official decree declared the Virgin of the Angels the official patron of Costa Rica.  Related Blog-post from Costa Rica - Travel Guide for Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica - Pura Vida !

Owing to the dark complexion of the stone statue, she is sometimes affectionately called La Negrita or Reina de Cartago . The original statue is kept in a golden shell inside the basilica. An official decree declared the Virgin of the Angels the official patron of Costa Rica.


In the days leading to August 2, the Basilica is the object of extensive pilgrimage and visited by over a million believers many of whom walk from different points throughout the country. However, most people join the 22-kilometer walk to the basilica from San José and surrounding communities. Locally the pilgrimage is known as the Romeria and is one of the most enduring of Costa Rican traditions. As a demonstration of their piety, many people choose to crawl part or the complete journey on their hands and knees.

In the days leading to August 2, the Basilica is the object of extensive pilgrimage and visited by over a million believers many of whom walk from different points throughout the country. However, most people join the 22-kilometer walk to the basilica from San José and surrounding communities. Locally the pilgrimage is known as the Romeria and is one of the most enduring of Costa Rican traditions. As a demonstration of their piety, many people choose to crawl part or the complete journey on their hands and knees.


Above photograph shows main prayer hall of Basilica of Los Angeles at Cartago. If you notice the couple in Blue/Red, they are crawling towards the main worship place. They started crawling from main gate of Basilica of Los Angeles. There were lot of people like this who were crawling on their knees while entering into the Basilica.

Above photograph shows main prayer hall of Basilica of Los Angeles at Cartago. If you notice the couple in Blue/Red, they are crawling towards the main worship place. They started crawling from main gate of Basilica of Los Angeles. There were lot of people like this who were crawling on their knees while entering into the Basilica. 


From architecture standpoint, Basilica of Los Angeles is a brilliant place as an Architecture lover Travellingcamera loved visiting this place and doing lot of photography with my iPhone. Although the sad part is that pathetic quality of iPhones made me loose all my Costa Rica Photographs. That reminds me that I should write a separate post on iPhone issues in data handling.

From architecture standpoint, Basilica of Los Angeles is a brilliant place as an Architecture lover Travellingcamera loved visiting this place and doing lot of photography with my iPhone. Although the sad part is that pathetic quality of iPhones made me loose all my Costa Rica Photographs. That reminds me that I should write a separate post on iPhone issues in data handling.  


From architecture standpoint, Basilica of Los Angeles is a brilliant place as an Architecture lover Travellingcamera loved visiting this place and doing lot of photography with my iPhone. Although the sad part is that pathetic quality of iPhones made me loose all my Costa Rica Photographs. That reminds me that I should write a separate post on iPhone issues in data handling.


The basilica is open all day long and it is not uncommon to find several people stopping in for a prayer. In addition people will bring small silver medals shaped like body parts, where the shape represents the body part the pilgrim is concerned about. They leave them in front of "La Negrita" in hope that they will be cured. After a time, these medals are collected and stored. A selection of some of them can be seen in a museum Museum in the same site.

The basilica is open all day long and it is not uncommon to find several people stopping in for a prayer. In addition people will bring small silver medals shaped like body parts, where the shape represents the body part the pilgrim is concerned about. They leave them in front of "La Negrita" in hope that they will be cured. After a time, these medals are collected and stored. A selection of some of them can be seen in a museum Museum in the same site.


At the basilica they wash themselves and drink the water from the rock on which the statue was found. Scientists have since found this water to be safe to drink even though no filtration or chemicals are used to purify the water.  Above photograph shows the area from where visitors drink water or even carry it home in water-cans made up of plastic and in shape of the famous statue on the rock.

At the basilica they wash themselves and drink the water from the rock on which the statue was found. Scientists have since found this water to be safe to drink even though no filtration or chemicals are used to purify the water.


Above photograph shows the area from where visitors drink water or even carry it home in water-cans made up of plastic and in shape of the famous statue on the rock. 

There is enough Parking space around Basilica of Los Angeles, unless there is a any special day or probably Sunday.   1 hour is enough to spend at Basilica of Los Angeles and explore the place. It's very peaceful inside so you may chose to sit there for some time and enjoy the silence of Basilica of Los Angeles.

There is enough Parking space around Basilica of Los Angeles, unless there is a any special day or probably Sunday. 

1 hour is enough to spend at Basilica of Los Angeles and explore the place. It's very peaceful inside so you may chose to sit there for some time and enjoy the silence of Basilica of Los Angeles. 


As far as places to eat around Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels is concerned, there are plenty of options. It's actually in the middle of a market with plenty of restaurants nearby. We shall be writing about a specific restaurant where we ate along with reasons why and why not to go their for your lunch.   Any entry fees for Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels  : There is no entry fees for Basilica of Los Angeles, so walk inside but maintain the silence of the space and respect your surroundings.

As far as places to eat around Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels is concerned, there are plenty of options. It's actually in the middle of a market with plenty of restaurants nearby. We shall be writing about a specific restaurant where we ate along with reasons why and why not to go their for your lunch. 

Any entry fees for Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels  : There is no entry fees for Basilica of Los Angeles, so walk inside but maintain the silence of the space and respect your surroundings. 

Best time to visit Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels : I don't think I have enough data-point to claim an answer on this one but let me find out update here. 

Above photograph shows the rock I described in popular story associated with Basilica of Los Angeles. You can also the see the statue on top of this rock. No one can touch this rock as you can see iron grill in front of it and this area is also shielded with glass wall. I loved the story depiction through painting on the call wherein this girl is moving towards the rock.

Above photograph shows the rock I described in popular story associated with Basilica of Los Angeles. You can also the see the statue on top of this rock. No one can touch this rock as you can see iron grill in front of it and this area is also shielded with glass wall. I loved the story depiction through painting on the call wherein this girl is moving towards the rock. 


We had great time here and if you plan to visit Cartago city of Costa Rica Basilica of Los Angeles is highly recommended. Do visit and let us know how was your experience through comments section below.

We had great time here and if you plan to visit Cartago city of Costa Rica Basilica of Los Angeles is highly recommended. Do visit and let us know how was your experience through comments section below. 

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