Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre

Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, also known as Our Lady of Charity, is Cuba's most revered Catholic saint and national patroness. She is believed to have appeared in the early 17th century to fishermen seeking protection. Depicted as a dark-skinned woman holding a child, she symbolizes faith, hope, and protection, especially for Cuban fishermen and sailors. Her shrine in Santiago de Cuba attracts pilgrims, and she plays a prominent role in Cuban religious and cultural identity. Recognized officially as a saint in 1916, she embodies spiritual guidance and national unity for many Cubans.