The original painting, located in Augsburg, Germany, was commissioned by Hieronymus Ambrosius Langenmantel in 1700 as an act of thanksgiving for the preservation of his family's marriage.
The iconography features the Virgin Mary standing on a crescent moon, flanked by angels, as she unties a long ribbon symbolizing life's complications.
Pope Francis introduced the devotion to this specific Marian image to the global church, making this sanctuary a key site for Argentine Catholic history.
The sanctuary is managed by the San José del Talar parish, which officially adopted this devotion in the mid-1980s.
The Santuario Virgen María que desata los nudos is a Catholic sanctuary in the Villa del Parque neighborhood of Buenos Aires, dedicated to the Virgin Mary Undoer of Knots. The central focus of the site is a replica of the 18th-century Baroque painting by Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner, which depicts the Virgin Mary untying ribbons knotted by humanity. This specific painting gained significant international prominence after Pope Francis fostered devotion to the icon during his time in Buenos Aires. The sanctuary attracts a high volume of pilgrims who leave written requests and ribbons as symbolic representations of their personal struggles or 'knots.' The site is modest in scale, functioning primarily as a center for personal prayer and intercession. It operates as a local parish church, hosting regular liturgical services and community-focused spiritual guidance. The sanctuary maintains a steady stream of local and international visitors seeking solace and spiritual support throughout the year.
The main altar where the icon of the Virgin Mary is prominently displayed.
Bring a small ribbon or written note to leave at the prayer station if you wish to participate in the traditional ritual.
Visit during the weekdays to avoid the significantly larger crowds that gather for Sunday masses.
Maintain a low volume during your visit, as the sanctuary is primarily a space for silent personal reflection.
Avoid visiting during peak mass times unless you intend to participate, as the sanctuary becomes very crowded with locals.
Modest dress is required; shoulders and knees should be covered. Avoid talking loudly and refrain from using flash photography during prayer services.
