The Valley of the Holly Spirit (El Valle del Espiritu Santo) is a pretty, tree shaded colonial village. Surrounded by green hills, this small village was Margaritas first Capital, founded by Isabel Manrique de Villalobos in 1529. In front of the shady Santiago Marino Plaza, is a flamboyant, Neo-gothic Church which houses the image of a 16h century Virgin venerated by fishermen and boatmen. History tells that it was destined for Peru and mistakenly unloaded in Cubagua Island. When the island of Cubagua suffered earth tremors and tidal waves, people evacuated and brought the Virgin to Margarita. Since then, thousands of pilgrims have come to pray and ask favors on Her feast day (Sept. 8) even Pope John Paul II came to consecrate Her as the patron saint of the Venezuelan Navy. Adjacent is the Diocesan Museum where hundreds of religious silver and gold offerings and the Virgin’s jeweled robes are displayed. Look out for a rare pearl in the form of a leg which was offered by a fishermen who promised; “I’ll offer the first pearl that I find if you will cure my leg” (which had been bitten by a stingray). He recovered satisfactorily, and the biggest surprise was that the first pearl he found was shaped like a leg! Location: 2.5 Km northwest of Porlamar.