🕯️ Church of Our Lady of Regla (Santería Site)

About This Sacred Site

The Church of Our Lady of Regla in the town of Regla, across the harbor from Old Havana, is one of Cuba's most important sites of religious syncretism. The Black Madonna of Regla is simultaneously venerated as the Catholic Virgin Mary and as Yemayá, the Yoruba orisha of the sea and motherhood, in the Afro-Cuban Santería tradition. On September 7, the feast day, devotees of both traditions fill the church with offerings of flowers, fruit, and candles, many wearing Yemayá's blue and white.

Key Facts

• •The Black Madonna of Regla is syncretized with Yemayá, the Yoruba goddess of the sea
• •September 7 celebrations blend Catholic processions with Santería drumming and offerings
• •Devotees wear blue and white — the colors associated with Yemayá
• •The original hermitage dates to 1687; the current church was built in the 19th century
• •Regla is considered one of the most important centers of Santería practice in Cuba

Location

Coordinates: 23.1253, -82.3376