The Well of the Virgin of Caacupe and its associated church is the second most visited sight in Caacupe. Many pilgrims visit both the basilica and the well when they come to Caacupe.
It lies just a short distance from the Basilica of Caacupe. Five blocks away and on the the other side of the Asuncion road. To walk between the two takes about ten minutes.
The well is a natural spring and unlike other holy wells did not suddenly appear. Instead the spring has always existed and previously went by the name of Ycua Rivas. Once the association was made with miracles and the Virgin of Caacupe the waters were given the name Tupasy Ykua.
This is the name they are known by today.
The religious center of Caacupe grew in importance in the mid 19th century under the president Carlos Lopez. At first everything was focused around the Virgin of Caacupe and her shrine.
It was not for several years until the presidency of his son that the waters were also considered holy and connected with miracles and healing.
The son of Carlos Lopez was Francisco Lopez. During his presidency Paraguay fought a bitter war against a Triple Alliance of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay which brought the country to its knees.
In the final months of the war the Paraguayans fought a fighting retreat across the country. This passed through Caacupe shortly after the defeat at the Battle of Piribebuy on 12th August 1869.
As the presidential forces passed through Caacupe the town was evacuated. It was at this time that the healing qualities of the waters were pronounced and its link with the Virgin of Caacpue on the other side of town made.
At the time the waters of Tupasy Ykua were on open ground at the edge of the town. People were able to collect water directly from the well as they rose from below.
The Well of the Virgin remained open to the elements and animals for more than 50 years more. Then to give it some sort of protection a wire cage in the shape of a church was placed above the spring head in 1929.
This protected the spring from damage but for some years it remained seated on open ground.
In the mid 20th century as Caacupe expanded the spring finally got a setting fit for a holy well. Between 1945 and 1950 a church was built alongside it. The Church of the Well of the Virgin of Caacupe. Although this was a new church it was built in an older traditional style so as it fit in with its surroundings.
A copy of the Virgin of Caacupe was placed within the church to reinforce the link between the two churches.
Also at the same time the ground around the spring was paved over and the waters channeled into pipes and taps so the they could be collected more easily by the faithful.
Now everyone who visits the Well of the Virgin is able to wash with its water and collect some in bottles to take away.
The waters with their healing qualities are believed to carry a blessing. As such a bottle of spring water taken back to a house provides a permanent connection with the Virgin of Caacupe.
Many arrive with their bottles. Old two litre plastic drink bottles.
Others can buy special bottles. Blue in the colour of the Virgin. Either in the shape of a standard bottle or formed in the image of the Virgin of Caacupe.
All year round the waters of Tupasy Ykua attract visitors. It is usually a quieter place the the basilica. However in the days around the 8th December when crowds of pilgrims flock to Caacupe for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is can be a busy place.
Then queues form across the churches patio as the faithful wait their turn to receive the waters.
As the Church of the Well of the Virgin of Caacupe is so close to the basilica it should be visited by anyone who is in Caacupe to see the later. To maybe even take away a small memento in the form of a bottle of holy water.
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