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Basilica · Nicaragua

National Shrine Basilica of the Immaculate Conception of El Viejo

El Viejo, Chinandega, Nicaragua

BasilicaMarian ShrineCatholic Central America collection

Why pilgrims come

What makes this Catholic place significant

One of Nicaragua’s principal pilgrimage sanctuaries preserves the revered image of the Immaculate Conception and the distinctive December Lavada de la Plata tradition.

Visit El Viejo as a national Marian pilgrimage, especially through the image known as the Virgen del Trono and the Lavada de la Plata that expresses Nicaragua’s Purísima devotion.

Catholic contextBasilicaEl Viejo, Nicaragua
Research trail1 catalog sourceVerification date not listed
Pilgrim planningConfirm before travelingWorship times and access can change
TraditionCatholic

What to notice

Look closely at the place and its story

01

The Virgin of the Throne

Encounter the Marian image at the center of the sanctuary’s national devotion.

02

Lavada de la Plata

Learn the December tradition of washing the silver treasures associated with the Virgin.

03

National shrine and basilica

Experience one of Nicaragua’s principal Catholic pilgrimage churches.

Feasts, anniversaries & celebrations

Lavada de la PlataThe traditional washing of the Virgin’s silver treasures precedes the Immaculate Conception celebrations.

How to read this page

Sources, tradition, and what is verified

Source trail1 cited catalog source

No verification date is listed, so current visitor details should be confirmed directly.

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.