In honor of the Virgin of Coromoto, a 117-kilometer pilgrimage route on foot is being promoted in Portuguesa, which will start from the Parish of Our Lady of the Pillar in Araure and arrive at the Minor Basilica National Sanctuary of the Virgin of Coromoto in Guanare.
The initiative comes from the Portuguesa Chamber of Tourism (PorTurismo) and is called "Camino a la Coromoto" (Road to Coromoto). The route is divided into 5 sections with strategic stops and overnight stays over 5 nights and 6 days in the municipalities of Araure, Ospino, and Guanare.
The goal is to promote a holistic tourism experience that combines faith, spirituality, and physical well-being. According to Franca Napolitano, executive director of Wellness Tourism for the association, "This isn't a test of athletic endurance or a traditional mass walk. It's a technical proposal that seeks to validate a model of wellness and spirituality tourism based on the premise that a tourist changes scenery, but a pilgrim changes their perspective."
He reported that the pilot test of the route will take place from September 3rd to 8th, coinciding with the 374th anniversary of the apparition of the Patron Saint of Venezuela and the celebration of the Coromoto Jubilee Year. It will be a technical trial to evaluate the logistics, overnight stops, security, and methodological aspects of the journey.
Napolitano indicated that the journey will begin on September 3rd from Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Araure, with stops at key locations such as La Patrona Farm in Guache; Las Mulatas Farm in Ospino; and El Carmen Parish in the hamlet of Las Matas (Guanare), before arriving at the National Shrine on the night of September 7th. There, the participants will spend the night to join the pilgrimage organized by the Diocese of Guanare on the 8th, commemorating the 374th anniversary of the Virgin's apparition.
He specified that this first edition will be carried out in a strictly controlled manner and will be an "experimental route" with a reduced delegation of 10 people, including PorTurismo directors and guests.
Napolitano explained that through data collection and the evaluation of this first journey, PorTurismo seeks to establish the institutional foundations, from the private sector, to formally promote Portuguesa as a sustainable heritage pilgrimage destination on a national and international scale. "The long-term goal is for 'Camino a Coromoto' to be undertaken at any time of year, understanding that the Patron Saint of Venezuela is to be visited year-round and religious tourism is timeless," he stated.
