If you visit the Los Angeles Basilica in Cartago these days, you’re sure to come across scaffolding and dozens of workers. After the celebrations in August and September, this temple entered a maintenance phase in order to continue receiving dozens of pilgrims, believers and tourists for many years to come.
“This is an icon of our country, we must beautify it for all the people who visit it, both in the basilica and in the pool,” commented Kenneth Vargas, administrator of this temple.
Tasks performed include repairing damage that has resulted in water leaks, deep cleaning, painting, and appropriate inspection exercises to determine if there are any other issues that were not visible to the naked eye that need to be addressed. The process is expected to take between 35 and 45 days, which may vary depending on weather conditions.
Visits to the temple will not be interrupted. However, when working in a certain area, a yellow tape is placed to prevent people from passing through that area.
The water basin area is an exception, as public access is only guaranteed on weekends. During the week, transit is not possible due to work.
Ricardo Balmant, the engineer in charge of the painting work, emphasized that before starting the painting work, a preparatory phase must be carried out, consisting of a thorough cleaning of the walls and ceiling. The next step is to restore any damaged parts. Eventually it would be painted.
There are currently around 10 people working, but more will be added over time.
The painting was donated by Pinturas Sur, the rest is part of the basilica’s funds and donations.
Construction of what is now the National Shrine began after the earthquake of May 4, 1910, which destroyed virtually all of Cartago and severely damaged the Temple of Our Lady of Los Angeles.
In 1912, the building authority chose engineer Luis Llach’s Byzantine and earthquake-resistant design for the reconstruction of the property. The work was completed in 1930, but in the 1970s the facades were reinforced, giving it its current appearance.
Since then, maintenance and beautification work has been carried out to make it look beautiful but also to preserve it.
One of the biggest changes takes place in the pool of holy water that believers drink. According to tradition, Juana Pereira found the image of the Virgin on a stone near a river and the temple was built with this fact in mind. For this reason, thousands of believers use the water from this baptismal font to wash, drink or take it home.
The work aims to demolish the existing structure and build it with a new design.
