How serene she looks, gazing out over the city. This, my friends, is Nuestra Señora de los Andes, affectionately known as the Virgen de Yanaconas. This place is more than just a monument. It’s steeped in history and legend, a beacon drawing visitors to its heights for over 80 years. Built in 1942 by the Marist Brothers, Nuestra Señora de los Andes was their plea for peace during the tumult of World War II. The statue, with arms outstretched in blessing, stands atop a six-meter pedestal, her gaze directed eastward. You can see the detail the sculptor, Marceliano Vallejo, poured into her creation. Vallejo, known as “The Sculptor of the Winds,” also crafted the four angels and two fierce lions that guard her. Interestingly, this wasn’t the original vision for the Virgen. An Italian sculptor, Maestro José Prate, was first commissioned but his depiction of Mary with indigenous features wasn’t received well. Vallejo was then tasked with recreating her, leaving only Prate’s original pedestal. Today, Nuestra Señora de los Andes stands as a testament to faith, artistry and a city’s hope for peace in a turbulent world. She is a reminder of the stories we tell and the power they hold.
El paraíso de Adán y Eva
“Dust you are and to dust you shall return.” These words echo in El paraíso de Adán y Eva. This