Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This resulted in the rejection of the Inca religion, and the partial adoption of Christian-
ity and establishment of the Santuario de Copacabana, which developed into a syncretic
mishmash of both traditional and Christian beliefs. The populace elected La Santísima
Virgen de Candelaria as its patron saint and established a congregation in her honor. Not-
ing the lack of an image for the altar, Francisco Tito Yupanqui, a direct descendant of the
Inca emperor, fashioned a figurine of clay and placed it in the church. However, his rude
effort was deemed unsuitable to represent the honored patron of the village and was re-
moved.
The sculptor, who was humiliated but not defeated, journeyed to Potosí to study the
arts. In 1582 he began carving a wooden image that took eight months to complete. In
1583
La Virgen Morena del Lago
(the Dark Virgin of the Lake) was installed on the adobe
altar at Copacabana and shortly thereafter the miracles began. There were reportedly 'in-
numerable' early healings and Copacabana quickly became a pilgrimage site.
In 1605 the Augustinian priesthood advised the community to construct a cath- edral
commensurate with the power of the image. The altar was completed in 1614, but work on
the building continued for 200 years. In 1805 the
mudéjar
(Moorish-style) cathedral was
finally consecrated, but construction wasn't completed until 1820. In 1925, Francisco Tito
Yupanqui's image was canonized by the Vatican.
Sights & Activities
Copacabana's central attractions can be visited in one long but relaxed day, but there are
some great trips further afield, including to the surrounding peninsulas. Much of the ac-
tion in Copa centers around Plaza 2 de Febrero and Av 6 de Agosto, the main commercial
drag, which runs east to west. The transportation hub is in Plaza Sucre. At its western end
is the lake and a walkway (Costañera) that traces the shoreline.
Cathedral
(6 de Agosto)
The sparkling white
mudéjar
cathedral, with its domes and colorful
azulejos
(blue Portuguese-style ceramic tiles), dominates the town. Baptisms take place every
Saturday at 4pm; check the notice board in front of the entrance for the mass schedule.
The cathedral's black Virgen de Candelaria statue,
Camarín de la Virgen de Can-
delaria
, carved by Incan Emperor Tupac-Yupanqui's grandson, Francisco Yupanqui, is
encased above the altar upstairs in the
camarín
(shrine); note, visiting hours can be unreli-
able. The statue is never moved from the cathedral, as superstition suggests that its dis-
turbance would precipitate a devastating flood of Lake Titicaca.
CHURCH
