Nuestra Señora de los Angeles Basilica
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Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (Our Lady of the Angels Basilica), a basilica in Costa Rica, located in the city of Cartago and dedicated to the Virgen de los Prados, officially known as la Virgen de los Ángeles (the Lady of the Angels). The basilica 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 Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels is dedicated to the Virgin of Cartago, a small representation of the Virgin carrying the infant Jesus, said to have been discovered by a peasant girl in Cartago. Due to the dark complexion of the stone, she is sometimes affectionately called "La Negrita" or "Reina de Cartago" (lit. Queen of Cartago). In 1824 an official decree declared the Virgin of the Angels the official patron of Costa Rica.
The Basilica is the object of extensive pilgrimage and visitation by believers throughout the country, many of whom join in the celebrated 22 kilometer walk to the basilica during the romería.
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