A Tour of the Grotto of Lourdes (Eng/Esp)
English version
The Lourdes Grotto is a shrine located inside the Basilica of Saint Agnes. It was built in the early 20th century when Father Manuel Arteaga Betancourt, who was the city’s highest-ranking religious leader, decided to replicate a design he had seen in Paris, using materials sourced from Europe—specifically from sites where Marian apparitions had been reported.
This grotto is crafted from various types of limestone. At the top, we can see an image of the Virgin Mary with her hands clasped in prayer. To the right is another sculpture, Saint Bernadette, who is kneeling. In a lower niche, there is a table covered with a vase containing red and white flowers. Another detail is that plaques expressing gratitude for favors granted can be seen on the walls.
The Grotto was inaugurated in 1910, and in 1928 a new version was unveiled featuring the floor that can be seen today. Surrounding it are various green plants, shrubs, and pink-hued trumpet flowers located at the top. In the evening, when the Cumana sun is no longer blazing, being here is relaxing because the atmosphere is cool, and the quiet typical of a church provides a space for reflection. This place has become a center of faith and cultural heritage, as it was established during the transition of Cumana’s patron saint from the Virgin of Carmen to the Virgin of Saint Agnes.
According to local sources, this Lourdes Grotto is the largest in Venezuela among the replicas built of the original grotto located in France, where in 1858 a teenager named Bernadette Soubirous witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary on as many as 18 occasions. This symbol of faith in the Catholic religion is deeply revered, especially in Cumana, where there is a very large congregation.
Versión en Español
La Gruta de Lourdes es un santuario que se encuentra dentro de la Basílica Santa Inés. Fue construida a comienzos del siglo XX cuando el padre Manuel Arteaga Betancourt, quien era el más alto representante religioso de la ciudad, decidió replicar un diseño que observó en París y lo hizo utilizando materiales procedentes de Europa, de sitios donde se reportaron apariciones marianas.
Esta gruta está elaborada con diferentes piedras calcáreas, allí podemos encontrar, en la parte de arriba, a la imagen de la Virgen María con las manos juntas en oración. A la derecha, aparece otra escultura, Santa Bernadette, quien está arrodillada. En otra cavidad más baja hay una mesa cubierta con un florero, se distinguen flores rojas y blancas. Otro detalle es que en las paredes se aprecian placas de agradecimiento por favores concedidos.
La Gruta se inauguró en 1910 y en 1928 se presentó una nueva versión con el piso que se observa en la actualidad. Alrededor se aprecian diferentes plantas verdes, arbustos y flores de trinitarias en tonos rosados ubicadas en la parte superior. En horario vespertino, cuando el sol cumanés no está reverberante, estar acá es relajante porque se presenta un ambiente fresco y el silencio propio de la iglesia concede espacio a la reflexión. Este lugar se ha convertido en un centro de fe y arraigo cultural ya que se instauró cuando se hacía la transición de la designación de la Patrona de Cumaná, pasando de la Virgen del Carmen a la Virgen de Santa Inés.
Según información local, esta Gruta de Lourdes es la más grande de Venezuela, hablando de las réplicas que se han realizado de la cueva original ubicada en Francia, donde en 1858 un adolescente Bernardette Soubirois presenció la aparición de la Virgen María hasta en 18 ocasiones. Esta muestra de fe en la religión católica es muy venerada y sobre todo en Cumaná donde existe una feligresía muy numerosa.
✓Photos from my personal gallery, edited with Fotocollage.
✓Text translated with DeepL.
✓Fotos de mi galería personal, editadas con Fotocollage.
✓Texto traducido con DeepL.
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