Easter: five destinations for religious tourism in Colombia

Easter began this Sunday, April 10, with the expectation of becoming one of the great tourist seasons of this year. In fact, figures from ForwardKeys released by ProColombia indicated that, at the end of the third week of March, there was a 192.7% growth in air bookings in Colombia, compared to Easter 2021.

“After the most critical months of the pandemic, this year we see a clear increase in the arrival of non-resident visitors,” added Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia.

Similarly, a study conducted by ProColombia's Vice Presidency for International Strategy and Innovation indicated that 20% of companies surveyed mentioned that non-resident travelers who engage in religious tourism have in mind seeking experiences that link them to their spiritual lives.

It may interest you: Times and days when you can visit Monserrate during Easter

In that sense, we tell you what are those must-see destinations when it comes to taking advantage of this celebration in the country:

It was created in 1972 to, according to Colombia Travel, the official tourism guide in Colombia, “protect, preserve, catalog, restore and exhibit the religious works of art owned by the Archdiocese of Popayán, parishes, churches, convents and some individuals”.

Its headquarters is an 18th century house in the neoclassical style, where today oil paintings, ornaments, goldsmiths and carvings brought from Spain and the Province of Quito are exhibited. It is a must stop in the Caucan capital, for tourists who attend the celebration of Holy Week and the Feast of the Virgin of the Assumption.

This Gothic-style church is built on the Guaitara river canyon and is located a few minutes from Ipiales, among the cliffs of the Andes Mountains. Its construction dates back to the beginning of the 20th century and was considered in 2015 as the most beautiful church in the world, according to the newspaper The Telegraph.

Behind its construction there is a miraculous story, since after the image of Our Lady of Las Lajas appeared on a flagstone located on a wall of the Guaitara river canyon, the construction of the sanctuary was launched, which ended in 1946. Since then it has become a popular place for believers and visitors who consider it “God's miracle over the abyss”.

The Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral was built 180 meters underground in the mines of this municipality located 48 kilometers from Bogotá. It is carved entirely in salt and is considered the “First Wonder of Colombia”.

Visitors can take the “miner's route” and get to know the three sections of the cathedral: the way of the cross, with biblical scenes carved in rock; the dome, with a luminous cross 16 meters high; and the scene of The Creation and the manger, made of marble.

Heritage town of Colombia that houses historical treasures from the colonial and republican period in the department of Antioquia.

It is an hour and a half from Medellín and at Easter it holds a 350-year-old celebration, where visitors can visit seven beautiful temples with colonial profiles, as well as other attractions of a Catholic character.

During Holy Week, the Ancient Music Meeting is held in Villa de Leyva, where works of sacred music are presented in different stages of the municipality, such as the Temple of the Cloister of San Agustín, the Plazuela del Carmen and the Church of Villa de Leyva.

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