The Candelaria of Puno and the fence of 1781

Puno · Lake Titicaca · Peru · World Heritage Organization

The Virgin of the Candelaria of Puno

La Virgin of the Candelaria de Puno is the patron of the city and the department of Puno, in the Peruvian altiplano, on the banks of Lake Titicaca (3,830 meters altitude). Its image - colonial size of the 17th century - presides over the basilica of Puno and is the center of the largest dance-festive of Latin America.

El cerco de Túpac Catari (1781)

In 1781, during the great indigenous rebellion led by Túpac Catari (Julián Apaza Niña), the rebels besieged the city of Puno for months. The Spanish garrison and the civilian inhabitants were trapped without escape. Hunger and fear were extreme.

In despair, the governor of Puno organized a procession with the image of the Virgin of the Candelaria. The defenders took the image out of the walls. The besiegers, who were preparing the final assault, when they saw the procession, thought they saw reinforcement troops arriving. The panic, they left without attack. The city was saved.

That miracle of 1781 forever consolidated Puno's devotion to the Candelaria. Since then, the Virgin is the "Mamita Candelaria," the mother who saves the people at the moment of greatest danger.

The holiday - UNESCO Heritage

Each 2 February, Puno celebrates the feast of the Virgin of the Candelaria with the greatest manifestation of dance and folk music in Latin America. More than 200 dance groups and 40,000 dancers perform for two weeks in honor of the Virgin. The suits - made all year round with very rich materials - represent the Aimara and Quechua traditions of the altiplano.

In 2014, UNESCO declared the Festivity of the Virgin of the Candelaria of Puno Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is the only Marian religious event that has such recognition.

▸ Learn to pray the Rosary · Full dose of the Candelaria de Puno