Santuario de San Lázaro

Almost on the southern edge of the capital, in the El Rincón neighbourhood, is this church located next to an old Leprosy Hospital. A mass pilgrimage takes place here each year on December 17th (Saint Lazarus' day), when the faithful arrive on foot or crawling on their knees, often dressed in sackcloth. The common belief is that the saint is exceedingly generous with his miracles, and once inside the church, candles are lit and prayers offered to the image of Saint Lazurus, identified by Afro-Cubans as the deity Babalú-ayé.