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Basilica · Bolivia

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Socavón

Oruro, Oruro, Bolivia

BasilicaIntercultural DevotionMarian ShrineMinersMinor BasilicaOruro CarnivalOur Lady of the SocavónCatholic South America collectionCatholic South America: Saints, Mary & Miracles collectionCatholicCatholic diocesan sanctuary and minor basilica

Why pilgrims come

Discover what makes Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Socavón a place of pilgrimage

The Catholic goal of Oruro's great carnival pilgrimage and the sanctuary of the painted image of Our Lady of the Socavón. Pope Leo XIV granted the title of minor basilica in 2025. The wider celebration joins Catholic Marian devotion with older Uru and Andean ritual continuities; UNESCO recognition concerns the cultural tradition, not a supernatural judgment.

Meet the Catholic heart of Oruro's famous festival at the altar where dancers complete a demanding pilgrimage to the Virgin of the Socavón.

Sacred objects1 recorded relicPainted image of Our Lady of the Socavón
Research trail1 catalog sourceLast checked Aug 31, 2026
Pilgrim planningConfirm before travelingWorship times and access can change
TraditionCatholic

The sacred connection

People and objects remembered here

These relationships are part of the destination record, with feast days and catalog qualifications shown where available.

Sacred objectPainted image of Our Lady of the Socavón

Venerated Marian image painted on the sanctuary wall · Publicly venerated sanctuary image; origin traditions are not entered as an adjudicated apparition

What to notice

Look closely at the place and its story

01

The painted image

The sanctuary image—not the hilltop monument—is the devotional center.

02

Dance as pilgrimage

Understand the entry's Catholic destination without erasing its Andean cultural layers.

Feasts, anniversaries & celebrations

Feast of Our Lady of the SocavónCandlemas is fixed; verify the basilica's current liturgical program.
Oruro Carnival pilgrimage to Our Lady of the SocavónThe principal pilgrimage entry follows the movable carnival calendar and requires the annual diocesan program.

How to read this page

Sources, tradition, and what is verified

Source trail1 cited catalog source

The destination record was last checked on 8/31/2026.

Editorial standard

This page records the site’s tradition as “Catholic.” That wording describes the nature of the claim and keeps devotional tradition distinct from independently verified history.

Continue nearby

More sacred stops for this journey

Saint TombCasa de Santa Nazaria Ignacia, Chapel, Museum and TombOruro, Bolivia