A gorge-spanning sanctuary

As breathtaking as any of Europe's grand basilicas, this canyon-crossing landmark lies an ocean away from the 'Old World.' Rising 330 feet above the Guáitara River in the wilds of southwestern Colombia, the Sanctuary of Las Lajas is built against a rock face that serves as the interior's back wall and bears a mural of Mary, which long predates the sanctuary and is claimed by some to be miraculous in origin. While no one knows who painted the mural or exactly how long it's been there, the site has drawn pious South American pilgrims since the 18th century, and was home to a series of small shrines and chapels before the current basilica was finished in 1949.