Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Grotto of La Paz

Nature and faith were the architects of the Grotto of La Paz, a Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary nestled in an impressive cavern in the Apaquí river canyon. The force of the water filtered through an arm of the mountain and opened a stage full of stalactites and stalagmites, between which small birds and bats nest.

Without a doubt, this wonderful place is one of the most representative sites of  the Montúfar Canton of the province of Carchi, it is located 26 km away  from San Gabriel and has become the most visited site by domestic and foreign tourists.

Origen of the Grotto of La Paz

• It is named after the cave where Our Lady of La Paz, which has been formed by the fall of the waters of the Apaquí River in a cave that is 150 meters deep and that is also formed of stalactites and stalagmites of different colors.

Grotto of La Paz Location

• 26 kilometers southeast of the city of San Gabriel and 4 kilometers east of the town of La Paz.

Grotto of La Paz Extension

• The Cave is approximately 150 meters deep.

Grotto of La Paz Description

• Characteristics of the Grotto of La Paz: The Grotto of La Paz is unique in Ecuador and there is no news of any similar in South America. The Apaquí river with its water drums crosses it in a length of 120 m from the emerald green vault, stalactites hang that  threaten to fall.
• In the limestone sky of the cave, a  patient observer, with a little of reverie, can set almost baroque scenes of a  tormented sunset as sporadic bats dance in the air. Vegetation is xerophytic, with the exception of a few imposing fig trees and flakes.
• On December 10, 1976, the Episcopal Conference and other ecclesiastical authorities declared it a Mariano National Shrine and The Monastery of Santa Clara was inaugurated. It is administered by the Tulcán Curia and the Community of Clarisa Sisters.
• In  the Grotto, the sculpture of the Virgin of Peace, is carved in stone by Daniel Reyes, Imbabura artist.
• • Spas are located 100 meters from the Grotto, there are three public pools. The liquid emerges at 40 degrees Celsius in one slope. Water has a reputation of healing skin problems and rheumatic ailments.

Grotto of Peace How to get there

• There are two entrances to the Grotto. One is an hour and a half from Ibarra and it is distinguished because in the entrance there is an image of the Virgin who welcomes tourists. The road is paved but it offers natural landscapes never seen before, rocky formations and natural tunnels that perplex any passenger.

• The second access is five minutes from the first, traveling from south to north, in the hamlet of El Capulí; the road is paved and the journey takes about 10 minutes. In both places there is transportation.

Virgin Grotto of Peace Legend

Tradition tells that the story of the apparition of the Virgin of the Grotto, which occurred at the beginning of the century, Father Jaramillo, pastor of La Paz dreamed that the Virgin asked him for an image to appease her of the political problems of the time. That's why the Imbabura artist was ordered to take a stone from the Apaquí River to conceive Mary. This happened, and the Virgin reigns in the Grotto since 1916.

Places that might interest you

• Carchi Arrayanes Forest
• El Angel Ecological Reserve