The Virgin El Cobre - two months before Pope Benedict

Another sojourn away from the heat of Santiago, this time to the beautiful church of the Virgin el Cobre, a short drive into the foothills of the Sierra Maestra mountains.  Inside the church is the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, a gold-clothed, doll-like figurine, which according to Cuban legend, three fishermen found floating in a bay as Spain colonised the region with the sword and the cross. She is Cuba's patron saint and Pope Benedict will be visiting her on his trip to Cuba on 26th March this year, to mark the 400th anniversary of her discovery.

Gold-clothed figurines aside, I thought the church was beautiful, with some stunning stained glass windows.  I reflected on it whilst listening to a talk last week by Alain de Botton, philosopher and founder of the School of Life, on the subject of his new book 'Religion for Atheists'.  He was making the point that atheists have much to draw on from religion, including art.  He argued that art in all the major world religions has two purposes - to remind you of what there is to love, and to remind you of what there is to fear or hate.  He also said that religious art represents a visceral encounter with the biggest truths of your faith.

Looking at the images in these stained glass windows, I am inclined to agree with him.

Copper mine adjacent to the church.