Statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe (submerged)

 sculpture, submarine, interesting place

A longtime popular attraction promoted by tour-boat operators which leave from Playa Caletilla, the submerged statue (said to be made of bronze) has become a shrine, of sorts, to the patron saint of Mexico - 'Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe' (Our Lady of Guadalupe), alternately known as 'La Virgen de Guadalupe'. Some say that the statue was placed there by fishermen devoted to the Virgin, giving her the title 'Nuestra Señora de Los Mares' (Our Lady of the Sea) and calling upon her to protect them and provide for their safe return.

In any event, this is a routine stop for the so-called 'glass-bottom' tour boats; and although it's not uncommon to see passengers bless themselves or offer a private prayer at the site, there are some who contend that the statue is nothing more than a gimmick. The 'gimmick', it seems, is that some boat captains (or one of their crew members) dive down to the statue - and on their return to the surface they look for tips (a small 'propina') from the passengers.

One website, however, conveys the significance of this local attraction as follows:
"On Navy Day, it is the custom for a Navy war ship to pull out with the Navy band aboard heading for Roqueta Island where the national anthem is played and a wreath of flowers is reverently tossed to the statue."
[ www.acapulco.com/artman/publish/article_44.html ]

For additional information:
www.homeandabroad.com/c/72/Site/102169_Capilla_Submarin...