Las Lajas Sanctuary is a Gothic-style basilica located in the southern Colombian Andes, near the town of Ipiales. The sanctuary is built on a bridge that spans the Guáitara River, and it is considered one of the most beautiful and unique religious buildings in South America. The construction of Las Lajas Sanctuary dates back to the early 20th century, and it was inspired by the famous Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica in Lyon, France.
According to legend, the site where the sanctuary now stands was once visited by a mother and her deaf-mute daughter who were seeking shelter from a storm. Suddenly, the daughter began to hear and speak, and the image of the Virgin Mary was seen imprinted on a rock in the area. This event was considered a miracle, and soon after, a chapel was built on the site to commemorate it. Over the years, the chapel was expanded and transformed into the basilica that stands today.