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El Socorro… Hidden Stories behind Must Visits

Learn Spanish in Colombia
Basílica de nuestra señora del Socorro

 

Located in the center of the town, it’s certainly the first impression El Socorro gave to the world. As the 3rd highest in all of Colombia, it is a master piece in Roman-Renascence style. Finished in 1943, it might be the youngest sites among all that we are going to introduce but certainly not a boring one.

Inside the cathedral you will be fascinated by the delicate designing. The floor, main altar and pulpit used very fine Italian Carrara marbles, with innumerable accessories fine bronze lamps and fine crystal. In the middle of major altar there is a painting done by Bartolome Esteban Murillo, at around 1650. He was one of the most famous Spanish painters outside Spain at the time. The frame of the art piece is made in silver, with arrangements of jewelry donated by people who believe of the miracle this painting has made to them.

This cathedral is also known to be a minor Básilica cathedral in Catholicism. Normally a Básilica has to be certificated by the Vaticiano who needs to verify the painting inside the cathedral has realized miracles to the people. In this case this cathedral as certificated by Pope Pablo VI. Until other Pope rules it out, the status of a minor Básilica will not be changed. That’s how today this cathedral of “Our Lady of Socorro” is among the 25 minor Básilicas in all of Colombia.
Upon entering, above the main door the carvings depicts how the name of Socorro comes from. In Spanish “socorro” means “help”. Legend says that once, there was a girl who never listened to her mother and always behave badly. The mother took her to the church to have her advised by the priest. Still she didn’t listen.  Once the mother asked her to help pick some wood for fire. Like always she didn’t listen. Her mother then threatened that if she didn’t listen to what the priest said, the devil would come for her. Without listening but claiming that it’s true, she left for the forest. However this time, as the night falls, she got lost in the forest. She started hearing the noises in the forest, until finally appeared a horse with a shadow man with a big black hat on it. Along with them a wild angry dog was running by the side. Seeing the fire coming from the mouth and eyes, she realized it was the devil. She screamed for help and it was heard by her worried mother. However she could do nothing but pray god sincerely for help. Finally there was Virgin Mary appearing from the cloud. With golden chain in her hands, she chained the devil and warned him that the poor girl didn’t belong to him. She saved the girl and told her to behave well in the future. Also she told the mother to tell the priest to name the town in her name. That’s how the name of Socorro means: Our lady of Aid (Nuestra Señora del Socorro).
Located just next to the main cathedral, the State Capitol Walls are the archaeological sites of the unfinished Government house in the mid-19th century. Back then influenced by the federal ideas, Colombia is composed of 9 different states, among which is the Sovereign State of Santander. In 1861 Socorro was declared Capital of the State of Santander. The president of Santander back then, general Salon Wilches pushed for the idea of constructing a building to house the government. It was said upon finishing, this building will be even taller than the main cathedral, at a scale comparable to Plaza Bolivar. However, in year 1886, with the triumph of the centralist ideas, the change of constitutional laws turned Colombia into the Republic of Colombia. The capital for Santander was also changed to Bucaramanga. The construction work of the State Capitol Walls was thus abandoned.
Located at the cross point of calle 14 and Carrera 16 (for transportation tips check here https://ehespanish.com/how-to-get-to-el-socorro/ ), this ancient colonial house is just near State Capitol Walls. It was built in 1865 by German immigrants and was given the name of “Estrella de Saravita”. As the first lodge built in the Sovereign State of Santander, this place quickly became very popular as a place for people to discuss. In between 1869-1886 it was even the meeting place for even the most important persons in Santander back then. The house continued to function, despite one renovation in 1932, until year 1937. These are the 3 places we introduced this time. Which place do you like the most among them? For me it’s the Brasilica Cathedral. And you? What other stories you do want to hear?Please share with us your likes in the comments below. See you in our next post!

These are the 3 places we introduced this time. Which place do you like the most among them? For me it’s the Basílica Cathedral. And you? What other stories you do want to hear?Please share with us your likes in the comments below. See you in our next post!

To Learn Spanish in Colombia is a great experience.

Sun Min
China
EHE Spanish School student

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