copacabana cathedral, formally called basílica de nuestra señora de copacabana, is one of bolivia's truly unique churches. this sprawling church (1550-1651) has large round domes, commanding pillars and mudéjar (moorish) style design. from the outside, the cathedral is a dominating, whitewashed sanctuary, complete with a walled courtyard and chapels in each corner. inside the temple are a long row of wooden pews and a ceiling painted in deep reds, blues and yellows. in a small chapel is the miraculous virgen de copacabana, bolivia's patron saint. the ornately robed, andean-looking virgin was sculpted by francisco yupanqui, grandson of the inca ruler, tupac yupanqui. people come from all over bolivia and peru to have their new vehicles blessed by her, a ceremony that entails high-powered liquor and fireworks.
