#difunta correa

In the realm of weird national myths, that of Difunta Correa ranks high, a camp follower whose dead body was found suckling an infant after abandonment by her soldier/lover. The shrine, in an extremely arid and remote part of San Juan, is consequently one of the weirdest pilgrimage sites in the western Hemisphere as illustrated here by this life-size statue. The candy is but one of countless gifts left by pilgrims to the remote site.

Inscripción del billete: "Este dinero pertenece a la difunta Correa dentro de Diez dias tendras suerte hacer 3 [copias]"

¡Feliz día de Todos los Santos!

One of the strangest places in South America, or in the world for that matter, is the shrine to the Argentinian folk saint Difunta Correa in the desert east of the city of San Juan. This is the stairway entering the shrine. I have published a number of photos related to Difunta Correa in the past.

En la ruta

“Gracias Difunta Correa por nuestra hogar” - casa modelo de metal, santuario de Difunta Correa, San Juan, 2008.
Thousands of these metal models, and lots of other stuff, are to be seen at the shrine to Difunta Correa in an arid part of San Juan province. Difunta Correa is venerated as a folk saint by many in Argentina and other countries of the Southern Cone, and these tokens have been placed by those who believe she has granted them good fortune.The shrine is among the most interesting bits of folk culture to be found in parts of the Americans where people of European genetic background are dominant.
The official Catholic Church does not recognize Difunta Correa as a saint.

One of many photos I took at the bizarre desert shrine to the folk saint who nursed her baby even after she had died from starvation or dehydration in the desert heat. It is common for those who believe in the cult of Difunta Correa to give relics for things they want or have received thanks to her “interventions.” A hillside leading to the shrine proper is dotted with models of houses and businesses, many, like this one, in metal.