Cuba: Basilica Nacional del Cobre
Basílica Nacional del Cobre is the most important church in entire Cuba, located in the town of Cobre, about 30km northwest from Santiago de Cuba. It houses the revered statue of the Virgin of Charity, Cuba’s patron saint, also known as La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre. The basilica is a place of pilgrimage for Catholics from all over Cuban and even beyond from Latin America. The church was built in 1926 and overlooks the town of Cobre from a high hill. Lots and lots and lots of pilgrims crowd out, many in hopes of miraculous cure from various ailments. Many Cuban believe the basilica has been protecting Cuba for centuries, but seems that protection wasn’t very effective against communism.
