Description of the attraction
The abode of the Most Pure Virgin of the Merciful, Madame de la Caridad, especially revered in Cuba, is located 18 km from the city of Santiago de Cuba, in the small village of El Cobre miners.
On a green hill above a dense wild forest, a snow-white basilica rises majestically. She carefully preserves the image of the patroness of Cuba, whose appearance is still considered a great miracle. According to the legend, in the morning of 1607, two Indian boys were sent by the owner to search for salt on the shores of the Nipe Bay. However, the storm and bad weather prevented them from following the order. After three days of searching, the teenagers boarded a boat and decided to go to the salt mines. And then, in the thick fog, they found a bale that floated towards them in the seething waters. A statuette of no more than 30 cm was hidden in it. And on a small plate the inscription shone: "Yo soy la Virgen de la Caridad", which means "I am the Most Holy Virgin of Mercy". In the left hand of the Virgin was a baby, the right one was raised for blessing. The guys took the statuette to their owner - Francisco Sanchez de Moya, manager of the copper mines, who immediately ordered to build a skete where the shrine would be kept.
Three years later, the image of the Most Pure Virgin of the Merciful was seen by a little girl on the hills of El Cobre, after which it was decided to build a basilica. And the chapel has stood since 1830, and keeps many offerings, including the gold medal of the Nobel laureate, the famous writer Ernest Hemingway.
In 1916, Pope Benedict XV solemnly proclaimed Madame de la Caridad, Most Pure Virgin of the Merciful, holy mistress and patroness of Cuba. Pilgrims from all over Latin America rise to the monastery on their knees. The strength and patronage of the Virgin is considered truly fantastic, and the flow of people full of hope and faith does not dry out all year round.
