5/5 Vera G. 1 year ago on Google • 262 reviews
Del
Carmen
Church
is
the
OLDEST
church
in
the
city
located
on
top
of
the
hill
known
as
Cerrito
Del
Carmen.
It
is
somewhat
off
the
beaten
path
and
about
30
minute
walk
from
the
city
center
through
the
neighborhoods.
Therefore,
it
feels
somewhat
secluded
from
other
places
of
interest.
Yet
it
is
well
worth
a
visit.
The
church
is
surrounded
by
a
beautiful
park
(that
was
well-maintained)
with
multiple
terraces
and
places
to
sit
as
well
as
children’s
playgrounds
and
a
large
fountain.
It
also
offers
beautiful
views
of
the
city
sprawling
around
the
hill.
The
church
is
famous
for
its
Virgin
Mary’s
image
which
is
believed
to
be
sacred.
The
image
is
currently
placed
in
the
middle
of
the
massive
gold
altar
along
with
other
icons
and
precious
artifacts.
The
church
is
beautiful
yet
simple
and
very
peaceful.
At
any
given
moment
one
can
find
a
few
people
praying
in
the
church.
The
entrance
to
the
church
is
free.
The
story
about
its
famous
image
dates
back
to
the
Italian
hermit
named
Juan
Corzo,
who
in
the
17th
century
decided
to
dedicate
his
life
to
God
and
came
to
the
Americas.
He
brought
with
him
an
image
of
the
Lady
of
Carmen.
The
church
was
built
for
this
image
in
approximately
1620
after
it
was
understood
that
the
image
chose
to
be
placed
here
via
divine
provision.
The
church
grounds
also
have
a
large
cross,
a
small
chapel
and
a
statue.
The
park
area
around
the
church
building
presents
a
nice
walk
or
sitting
area.
At
the
bottom
of
the
hill
or
at
the
entrance
to
the
garden
one
may
find
a
paid
bathroom
(Q2).
Plan
to
spend
one
to
two
hours
at
the
location.
The
church
is
open
every
day
8am
to
6pm.
The
walk
to
the
church
and
the
surrounding
park
is
well
worth
it.
