Abode of the Blessed Virgin of Mercy, especially revered in Cuba Madame de la Caridad, located 18 km from the city of Santiago de Cuba, in the small village of miners of El Cobre.

On a green hill above the dense wild forest stands majestically snow-white basil. She keeps careful image of the patroness of Cuba, the appearance of which is still considered a great miracle. Legend has it that morning in 1607, two Indian boys were sent to search for the owner of the salt on the shores of the Bay of Nipe. However, the storm and bad weather prevented them comply with the order. After three days of searching teenagers got into a boat and decided to go to the salt mines. And then in the thick fog they found the bale, which sailed to him in raging waters. It was hidden Figurine no more than 30 cm. But on a small plate shone inscription: «Yo soy la Virgen de la Caridad», which means "I - Our Lady of Mercy." The left hand of the Virgin was a baby, right arm is raised in blessing. The boys carried the statue to its owner - manager in the copper mines, Francisco Sanchez de Moya, who immediately ordered to build a monastery, wherever and kept holy.

Three years later, the image of the Blessed Virgin of Mercy saw a little girl in the hills of El Cobre, after which it was decided to build a basilica. And is a chapel in 1830, and holds many offerings, including the gold medal of the Nobel laureate, the famous writer Ernest Hemingway.

In 1916, Pope Benedict XV solemnly declared Madame de la Caridad, the Holy Virgin Merciful, holy mistress and the patroness of Cuba. Pilgrims from all over Latin America rise to the monastery on his knees. The power and patronage of the Virgin is considered to be a truly fantastic, and the flow of people, full of hope and faith, does not dry all year round.