Virgem da Lapa

Cave of Our Lady of Lapa - Gruta da Lapa - Gruta de Nossa Senhora da Lapa

Useful Information

Location:	Antonio Pereira, north of Ouro Preto. (-20.305297164475757, -43.47215303024058)
Open:	All year daily. [2021]
Fee:	Adults BRL 3. [2021]
Classification:	Karst cave Cave Church
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	Luiz Eduardo Panisset Travassos, Isabela Dalle Varella, Éder Romagna Rodrigues, Rose Lane Guimarães (2007): A Festa Religiosa De Nossa Senhora Da Lapa, Antônio Pereira, Minas Gerais, Conference, XXIX Congresso Brasileiro de Espeleologia, Ouro Preto, January 2007 researchgate
Address:	Gruta de Nossa Senhora da Lapa, R. da Lapa, 2, Antônio Pereira, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000,
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Gruta de Nossa Senhora da Lapa (Cave of Our Lady of the Rock) is a popular pilgrimage destination. The Blessed Virgin Mary is widely worshiped in Portugal and Brazil. This is not really a show cave, but a chapel built in the entrance of a horizontal cave. But the cave behind is also accessible and at least partially electrically lit. The cave is interesting and contains an unusual palaeokarst deposit. According to local lore the cave was a hideout for slaves. In the cave personal items from the 18th century were discovered.

The catholic church in the cave entrance contains a statue of Nossa Senhora da Lapa. This statue was discovered in the Rio do Pereira nearby and brought to the cave. Since it is in the church, people have tried to steal it. But it always finds is way back to the church.