La Negrita

Costa Rica's patron saint is La Negrita (little black one). It's actual a representation of the Virgin Mary. 375 years ago this year, an indigenous girl found a black stone that looked like a doll, so she brought it home and put it in a box. The next morning it was missing. She went back to the spot where she first encountered it, and it was there again. She brought it home...and the same thing happened, so she took it to the priest. I don't know all of the details, but the ticans proclamed it a miracle and wanted to build a cathedral where La Negrita was found.

This is the original church. It was never finished because earthquakes kept hitting the area and the ground couldn't support the weight. Now it's a park-like place. There are gates around it, which aren't always opened.


Every year, there's a Romeria (pilgramage) to Cartago, where La Negrita was found. People walk from all over the country to show their devotion. This cathedral is fairly new. If I am not mistaken, it was built last century.


In the cathedral, there are tons of glass cases like this one, containing representations of body parts like arms, legs, hearts, and heads, or babies, beds, and other things. Each represents a prayer sent to La Negrita. Literally, I was overwhelmed by the devotion! There are also trophies, degrees, etc. that people send to La Negrita in appreciation.