Throughout Latin America, it’s hard to find a village, town, or city that doesn’t boast a patron or patroness saint as part of its identity. These holy figures often step out of their celestial realm and into the earthly one, manifesting as sculptures that are as much a part of the landscape as the people themselves. One such figure is the Virgen del Carmen, who has presided over the Bay of Cartagena for more than forty years, becoming a symbol of devotion and pride for the city’s residents.
By: Omri Westmark
Date: 20:03 02.09.24
Last Update: 20:08 02.09.24
Jutting out of Cartagena old town, Bocagrande is everything the historic center is not – modern, spacious and car-oriented. The neighborhood is dotted with tall apartments blocks and sandy beaches, where scores of tourists often bask in the sun. On the eastern side of the peninsula on which the district lies, one can find a well-maintained esplanade that stretches along the Bay of Cartagena.
Anyone walking along this promenade might spot a faint figure emerging from the waters of the bay. This ivory-hued silhouette isn’t a fata morgana but a sculpture that has been Cartagena’s mascot for decades, safeguarding its sailors from harm’s way.
Deeply cherished among Cartageneros, the Virgin of Carmen was first created by Italian sculptor Luisi Heredi in the 1950s. The marble statue, originally 15 meters tall, had to be resized and transported in pieces due to the challenges it faced on its journey to Colombia. Finally installed in 1983 at the entrance to the bay, this guardian of Cartagena proudly stood as an icon of devotion.
However, On August 9, 2015, a heavy storm shocked the entire city as lightning struck the sculpted virgin, causing her to shatter. The sight of the splintered statue was devastating to her copious fans, who immediately called for her restoration.
No sooner said than done, a team of divers from the Colombian Navy worked tirelessly for ten days, during which fragments of the statue were recovered from the seabed. Though her head and the toddler she carried in her arms survived mostly intact, the rest of her body was severely damaged, requiring a thorough repair work.
Luckily though, Carlos Enrique Rodríguez Arango, a local acclaimed artist, took on the task of breathing new life into the fractured sculpture. Using traditional Renaissance techniques, he managed to piece together the remains, while also adorning the virgin with a couple of new elements, made primarily of Italian Carrara marble.
During the restoration works, he also noted that the virgin’s original crown was missing. While her tiara was never salvaged, Arango successfully recreated this lost feature by examining old photographs.
The resurrected Virgin of Carmen was finally reinstalled at her wet whereabouts on December 7, 2016, just in time for the Fiesta de las Velitas, a popular local celebration. Now standing tall once again, the Virgin continues to inspire the people of Cartagena, with her rejuvenated form serving as a testament to resilience and faith. Every July 16, her feast day, the bay comes alive with boats laden with believers who come to honor their patroness, ensuring that her legacy remains relevant for generations to come.
photography by: Samael Alejandro Zapata Ibarra/ Wikimedia Commons
photography by: LUIS ANGEL CAMARGO/ Flickr
photography by: Omri Westmark
