Sanctuary of Santa Teresa de los Andes

The sanctuary of Santa Teresa de Los Andes is located close to the city of Los Andes on the area of level ground of Auco, and from here you can see the whole Valley of Los Andes. This is a zone of worship located among large hills. In the month of October every year there is a traditional pilgrimage, attended by more than 160,000 people who all come to adoration the Chilean saint. The trip is a hard, long walk of 27 km about, from the old Chacabuco ranch, belonging to the grandfather of the saint, to the Sanctuary of Santa Teresa, during which the faithful pray, sing and dance.

The cathedral built here is dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen, and here, in the Crypt, the remains of this Carmelite religious woman beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987 and canonized in Rome in 1993 are kept. She is now known as Santa Teresa de los Andes (Saint Teresa of the Andes).

In this same area, you will find the new Convent of the Barefoot Carmelite Mothers that was moved from Los Andes.

This great spiritual center has part of a huge project where, through the simplicity of its buildings, united with the natural beauty of the place, you will find the virtues of Teresa of the Andes here – simplicity, humility, happiness and peace.

You can get to the zone of Auco by way of Ruta 60 towards Los Andes but before reaching the city you take the turn-off on the left-hand side for the Tres Esquinas, and then take the Carretera San Martín.

HOW TO GET

FROM SANTIAGO:

East Sector

Take Americo Vespucio (La Pirámide road) to crossroad of Huechuraba. Turn right and take Los Libertadores Highway. Go along -as in the picture-, to Chacabuco Grade Crossing, go towards Los Andes destinations, you will find the Chacabuco Toll, the tunnel and then the Grade Crossing of Auco, take the right road for turning left by the superior crossroad, and at 700 m. approximately, you will find our Sanctuary.

South or Center Sector
 
Take the route 5 North, go past Quiquilicura crossroad, continue going along, before arriving to Grade Crossing of Lampa; take the road on the right, whose name is San José,  you will find the toll of the same name, go along to crossroad with Los Libertadores Highway, turn left and continue 200 meters and connect with the highway. Then, continue going along the highway to Chacabuco grade crossing and follow the mentioned directions in the first paragraph.

Center Sector

You will cross Independencia municipality, to Huechuraba crossroad, then follow the first point directions.

FROM THE SOUTH

South Sector

Take the route 5 North, to arrive to Quilicura crossroad, continue going along to Lampa sector, where you find its toll barrier, continue 7 Km to the north to Cuesta del Manzano (slope), go down 1000 meters. Go past the slope, before arriving to Polpaico, turn right and take Route 57 also known as Santa Teresa Route. Keep your direction and go past to Chacabuco Grade Crossing and go by Los Libertadores Highway, and follow the directions mentioned in the first point.

FROM NORTH

As referent, we will locate in the past crossroad that goes towards Valaparaíso, Hijuelas sector. Continue going along Route 5 North to Los Andes, going past La Calavera tunnel, then Las Vegas Toll Barrier and at 400 meters approximately; turn right in order to take the left road that go by the outskirts of  Llay Llay. Then, go past Chagres Slope and after by the outskirts of Acatemú Catemu, Panquehue and San Felipe localities, -as the picture shows-. From San Felipe, at 3Km approximately, you will find Tres Esquinas crossroad, turn right taking General San Martin Highway to Santiago. This road crosses the Rinconada municipality (they are 16 Km approximately), and when you will be nearly at the end of the road, before taking Los Libertadores Highway,  you will find our Sanctuary.

HOW TO GET BY BUS

From Santiago

Terrapuerto Los Héroes, located in Tucapel Jiménez 21, corner Alameda O'Higgins,
Los Heroes metro station.
Telephone: 4200099 – 6969798

Terminal Norte or San Borja, located in San Borja 184, central Station
Telephone: 7645060

From Valparaíso

Rodoviário Terminal, located in Pedro Montt Avenu s/n - Valparaíso.