La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre is one of Cuba’s most famous religious sites, found near the city of Santiago de Cuba in the east of the island.
Legend has it the figure of the virgin was found floating in the sea by three boys praying for protection from a terrible storm. They took it back to land and kept it in a chapel in the town of Barajagua before moving it to El Cobre.
To this day the figure is housed in a basilica outside the small town, an important pilgrimage site for Cubans and foreigners alike. The beautiful basilica was built in 1926, and receives visitors year-round.
However, the best day of the year to visit is Sept. 8, when thousands come to the area to pay their respects. It’s common for people to bring flowers and other offerings, and processions take place in El Cobre and other places across the country.
In a country where organized religion has been discouraged under the Communist government, La Virgin del Cobre manages to unite Cubans of all different beliefs. The image is also an important part of the syncretic religion known as Santeria, incredibly popular in Cuba.
If you are in eastern Cuba, it’s worth making a trip to El Cobre to see one of the most important religious sites in the country.
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