The main attraction of San Juan de los Lagos is its magnificent Sanctuary, a temple built from pink quarry stone in the 18th century. With its two baroque towers visible from any point in the city and its dome adorned with mosaics, this sanctuary draws millions of pilgrims each year.
One of the first miracles attributed to the Virgin of San Juan was the resurrection of a seven-year-old girl, the daughter of a family of circus performers. This miraculous event caused people to start visiting the sanctuary seeking help in difficult times, offering gifts and traveling from distant places to visit her.
San Juan de los Lagos receives large annual pilgrimages from San Pedro de la Laguna, Tultepec, Santa María Tonanitla, and Huehuetoca in the State of Mexico; Apan in Hidalgo; and San Francisco del Rincón and León in Guanajuato.
During your visit to San Juan de los Lagos, you must see the Chapel of the First Miracle, an architectural work from the 17th century that stands out for its carved stone façade with vegetal details and its elegant columns.
The Feast of the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos is celebrated on February 2nd, Candlemas Day. It is the date when the most pilgrims arrive, many fulfilling promises by walking on their knees or carrying nopales with thorns on their chests, in a moving display of devotion.
