- Address
Camino Tupasy Rape, Itapúa (Paraguay)
- Web
https://rutajesuitica.com.py/news/santuario-natural-virgen-de-itacua/ - Visiting Hours
Every day from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - What to see
Ship-shaped temple
It is located on the banks of the Paraná River, on the border between the cities of Encarnación (Paraguay) and Posadas (Argentina). This is the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Itacuá (in Guraní it means “among the stones”) and it is a reference site in terms of peace, the beauty of the landscape and prayer in Paraguay. This sanctuary usually attracts pilgrims and tourists and is linked to the Jesuit Route.
Also known as the “Virgin of the Poor”, her festival is every December 8 (celebration of the Immaculate Conception for Catholics) and the devotion has a great connection with the sailors who crossed the area of the Paraná River at the beginning of the 20th century. who felt security (“protection”) from the danger represented by the rocks of the place. It was with the placement of an image of the Virgin in the grotto (brought from Europe) that this pilgrimage gained strength over time. For their part, the boats, when passing by the place, sounded their horns as a sign of respect.
In that sense, another of the particularities of this site has to do with the structure of the temple, whose design is similar to that of a ship due to the tradition that arose around this sanctuary. Also notable is the presence of a viewpoint about 20 meters high on the banks of the Paraná River.
