The Basilica of El Cobre, in the town of that name in the province of Santiago de Cuba, is getting ready for the visit of Pope Francisco and officiate the Mass next 22 in this religious site, located 18 kilometers from the capital city .
Maria Caridad Lopez, head of the media commission of the Archdiocese of this eastern city, said the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity Capital received a restoration that ended in 2012, on the occasion of two important events this year.
One of them, she said, was the visit of Pope Benedict XVI and the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the image of the Virgin. Then, was undertaken a project that looked at the changing roles of various locals to give them back their initial use.
For example, the space occupied by the Chapel of Miracles, where worshipers meet promises, resumed its original function as a sacristy.
That is why the first was transferred to one of the two aisles, whose opening previously closed and contributed to the improved ventilation, acoustics and interior lighting, she said.
Similarly, it was replaced part of the carpentry that was damaged by the passage of time and pests, on frames, windows and stained glass, and was renovated the chapel of the Virgin, where the faithful are closer to the venerated image.
In parallel we worked on the interior and exterior areas, painting the building and renovation of electrical, hydraulic and sanitary networks, lighting and audio systems and waterproofing of the roof.
Moreover, it was also undertaken actions surrounding facilities as the Retreat House and Coexistence and the guesthouse, which was built over 60 years and where health and external networks benefited.
In the first chapel, dining room, 10 rooms, telephone exchange, reception and lounge protocol actions covered today and throughout the building, where once lay the San Basilio Magno Seminary restored.
For the occasion there were new buildings like the House for elderly priests, where Pope Benedict XVI spent the night and that this time will welcome the current Pope of the Catholic Church; access facilities for the disabled were created and received care the green areas, the paving of the interior streets and the Plaza Mariana.
The present basilica was inaugurated on September 8, 1927.
Before the temple with religious image was on the Cerro del Cardenillo, but it collapsed because of the exploitation of the copper mine in the area.
Pope Francisco visit to Cuba from 19 to 22 September and will also celebrate Mass in Havana and Holguin