Virgen of Chiquinquira – Virgen de Chiquinquirá in Caraz, Huaylas

Each January 20 the small town of Caraz, Huaylas near Huaraz in Ancash celebrates the town’s patron saint, the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, a title for the Virgin Mary in South America which derives from a portrait of Mary made in the small Colombian town of Chiquinquirá on a rustic piece of cotton cloth which miraculously recovered its colors and brightness after been left careless for years and which today is worshipped mainly in Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador.

Festivities in Caraz in Peru already begin early on January 19 at the main plaza of the small town with welcoming back delegations of citizens from across the country. After this official act the image of the Virgen of Chiquinquirá is taken out of the church, carried around the main square and returned to the church where a special mass is celebrated.

Read more about the celebrations in our article "Virgin of Chiquinquira"

Virgin of Chiquinquira – Virgen de Chiquinquirá in Caraz, Huaylas

Peruvian Public Holidays & Festivities

Each year on January 20 the small town of Caraz, Huaylas near Huaraz in Ancash celebrates the town’s patron saint, the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, a ti...