Nuestra Señora de los Angeles Basilica

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Due to the dark complexion of the stone, she is sometimes affectionately called "La Negrita" or "Reina de Cartago" (lit. Queen of Cartago). The original statue is kept in a golden shell inside the basilica. In 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 about 1.5 million believers throughout the country, many of whom join in the celebrated 22 kilometer walk to the basilica during the romería, though people can start the pilgrimage from anywhere they want. At the basilica they wash themselves or even drink the water from were the rock on which the statue was found. Scientisits have found this water to be safe to drink since even though there is no filtration nor chemicals used to purify the water.