The tomb of "La Milagrosa" (Amelia Goyri de la Hoz) is the spiritual epicenter of Colón Cemetery and one of Cuba's most important pilgrimage sites. Its story blends tragedy, folk devotion, and religious syncretism.
During my visit to the cemetery – which I’ll share in detail soon because there’s so much to tell – I encountered this tomb, famous across all of Cuba. ✨
Amelia Goyri de la Hoz was born in 1877 into a wealthy Havana family. She married José Vicente Adot y Rabell, a Spanish army officer.
On May 3, 1901, Amelia died during childbirth with her first baby. The infant did not survive. She was only 24 years old. 😔
📜 *Official records confirm Amelia died of preeclampsia —a life-threatening pregnancy complication still dangerous today. Her tragic story mirrors modern maternal health struggles.
Here’s where the legend begins:
She was buried with the newborn at her feet (a custom symbolizing the child had never "walked the earth"). Years later, when the tomb was opened to move the remains, something shocking was found: Amelia’s body was incorrupt. Most remarkably, the baby lay cradled in her arms – not at her feet.
People concluded this was a miracle 🙏. Amelia became a "miracle mother," akin to the Catholic Virgin, while followers of Afro-Cuban religions linked her to Oyá, the orisha of cemeteries.
Miracles are attributed to her, and visitors follow a ritual: lining up to greet her, touching some parts of the grave, make requests, and give thanks for previous miracles. Offerings are so abundant they spill onto nearby tombs!
Exact location:
📍 Plot 2, East Row, Niche 211 (on Avenida Cristóbal Colón, near the Central Chapel).