LA VIRGEN DE LA PAZ - SANTUARY
50km distance North
45min by car
50km distance North
45min by car
La naturaleza y la fe fueron las arquitectas de la Gruta de La Paz, un santuario de la Virgen María enclavado en una impresionante caverna en el cañón del río Apaquí. La fuerza del agua se filtró por un brazo de la montaña y allí abrió un escenario lleno de estalactitas, entre las cuales anidan pequeñas aves y murciélagos. Se denomina así por la gruta donde está asentada Nuestra Señora de la Paz, que ha sido formado por el caer de las aguas del río Apaquí en una cueva que tiene 150 metros de profundidad, y que además, está formada de estalactitas y estalagmitas de diferentes colores. Ubicación, Se encuentra a 26 kilómetros al sureste de la ciudad de San Gabriel y a 4 kilómetros al oriente del poblado de la Paz.Extensión, La Cueva tiene aproximadamente 150 metros de profundidad. La Gruta de La Paz es única en el Ecuador y no se tiene noticia de alguna similar en Sudamérica. El río Apaquí con sus tambores de agua la atraviesa en una longitud de 120m. de la bóveda color verde esmeralda, cuelgan estalactitas que amenazan con caerse. En el cielo calizo de la caverna, el paciente observador, con un poco de ensoñación, puede configurar escenas de un atardecer atormentado, casi barroco, en tanto golondrinas de pluma, hueso y esporádicos murciélagos hacen maromas en el aire. La vegetación es xerofítica, con excepción de unos cuantos higuerones imponentes y coposos. El 10 de diciembre de 1976, la Conferencia Episcopal y demás autoridades eclesiásticas le declararon Santuario Nacional Mariano y se inauguró el Monasterio de Santa Clara. Es administrado por la Curia de Tulcán y la Comunidad de Madres Clarisas. La Gruta, la escultura de la Virgen de la Paz, es tallada en piedra por Daniel Reyes, artista imbabureño.
The nature and faith were the architects of the Grotto of La Paz, a shrine of the Virgin Mary in a stunning cave nestled in the canyon of river Apaquí. The force of water filtered by an arm of the mountain and there opened a stage full of stalactites, including small nesting birds and bats. Named after the grotto where Our Lady of Peace, which has been formed by the fall of the waters of the river Apaquí in a cave is 150 meters deep, and is also formed of stalactites and stalagmites of different sits colors. Location, is located 26 kilometers southeast of the city of San Gabriel and 4 kilometers east of the town of Paz.Extensión, La Cave is about 150 meters deep. The Grotto of La Paz in Ecuador is unique and has not been reported somewhat similar in South America. The drums Apaquí river water runs through it in a length of 120m. Emerald green dome, hanging stalactites that threaten to fall. In the sky limestone cave, the patient observer, with a bit of fantasy , you can configure a tormented sunset scenes almost baroque, while swallows feather, bone and sporadic bats do somersaults in the air. The vegetation is xerophytic, with the exception of a few towering fig trees and coppiced. The December 10, 1976, the conference of bishops and other church authorities declared it National Marian Shrine and Monastery of Santa Clara opened. It is managed by the Curia and the Community Tulcán Mother Clare. The Grotto, the sculpture of the Virgin of Peace, is carved in stone by Daniel Reyes, imbabureño artist.
The nature and faith were the architects of the Grotto of La Paz, a shrine of the Virgin Mary in a stunning cave nestled in the canyon of river Apaquí. The force of water filtered by an arm of the mountain and there opened a stage full of stalactites, including small nesting birds and bats. Named after the grotto where Our Lady of Peace, which has been formed by the fall of the waters of the river Apaquí in a cave is 150 meters deep, and is also formed of stalactites and stalagmites of different sits colors. Location, is located 26 kilometers southeast of the city of San Gabriel and 4 kilometers east of the town of Paz.Extensión, La Cave is about 150 meters deep. The Grotto of La Paz in Ecuador is unique and has not been reported somewhat similar in South America. The drums Apaquí river water runs through it in a length of 120m. Emerald green dome, hanging stalactites that threaten to fall. In the sky limestone cave, the patient observer, with a bit of fantasy , you can configure a tormented sunset scenes almost baroque, while swallows feather, bone and sporadic bats do somersaults in the air. The vegetation is xerophytic, with the exception of a few towering fig trees and coppiced. The December 10, 1976, the conference of bishops and other church authorities declared it National Marian Shrine and Monastery of Santa Clara opened. It is managed by the Curia and the Community Tulcán Mother Clare. The Grotto, the sculpture of the Virgin of Peace, is carved in stone by Daniel Reyes, imbabureño artist.