Near downtown Santiago a large hill rises 300 meters above the rest of the metropolitan landscape. Riding in a cable car to reach the top (possibly the same one in which Blessed John Paul II rode), you hear the guitarist’s tune fade into the background as the ascent slowly reveals a spectacular view of the city. The first two things you’ll encounter after disembarking (that is, if you didn’t take a detour to the zoo about half way up) are the outdoor Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception and the modest chapel devoted to the Motherhood of Mary. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception awaits her visitors at the peak (which is the 2nd highest in the city), standing a mighty 22 meters tall with the crescent moon and serpent beneath her feet.

Santiago