The Legend of the Grotto of the Virgin de la Peña

Mijas, Spain

Grotto of the Virgin de la Peña, 1682 

AKA – Chapel of the Virgin in the Rock. (The word peña means cliff in Spanish) 

 

A chapel has been hollowed out in the cliff beside a town tower where inside there is a chapel to the Virgin de la Peña, as well as a little room where the ceremonial clothes of the Virgin are kept. 

The grotto has a very interesting legend. 

In the 16^th century a man named Pedro Bernal lived in Mijas with his wife and two children, a boy, Juan (12 years old) and a girl, Asuncion (10 years old). 

On May 30, 1536 the children were playing where the little square is now and saw a white dove that was exceptionally beautiful. The dove alighted on them and they were able to caress it. Enchanted, the children shared this story with their parents. 

The next day the children went back, and at the same time the same beautiful white dove appeared again. 

The parents were beginning to feel uneasy and told them not to go back, so the next day the children stayed home.

However a few days later they did return and on this visit they heard a voice calling them and then the Virgin and Child with the same white dove on her shoulder appeared to them.  She told the children she was the Mother of God and to tell everyone what they saw. She instructed them to remove her from the rock where she had been trapped inside for the last 500 years.

The next day the priest, the parents and the whole town went to the tower and cliff where the Virgin had appeared. The father went to the top of the tower and hit the rock where there was a hollow sound. When Pedro excavated that spot, he discovered a statue of the Virgin and then fainted away at this miracle. 

Mijas gained fame because of this apparition and statue and there was a project to build a chapel at this holy place but nothing happened for many years. Then a pious hermit priest called Diego decided to build the chapel himself. He continued excavating until the chapel was finished in 1682. 

The priest was buried in the chapel when he died.

San Sebastian Church, (Plaza de la Libertad)
This beautiful church is in the centre of Mijas.  Its present appearance dates from its restoration in the second half of the 17th century. This is a typical Mudejar church, "Mudejar" being a term that refers to Spanish architecture of the 13th to the 16th century, which combines both Moorish and Gothic styles.

Inside, it has a peaceful atmosphere emphasized by the rather plain white walls. The walls  contrast with the ornate altar and cupola above it, which is decorated with rococo plaster. Behind the altar is a large statue of Christ carrying the cross.

Church of the Immaculate Conception  (Finished 1631)

This church is also called "La Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepcion" and was built in the upper part of the town adjoining the “Torre de la Vela” tower, which became its bell tower. This tower was built in the mid 16^th century as a shelter to the Mijas villagers in case of an attack. One of the towers (the square one) of the castle was incorporated into the church as its bell tower.

It is set next to a lovely, serene Mijas town square with three (yes three!) beautiful fountains.  It adjoins the paths which provide a panoramic view of the Mediterranean and its surrounding.

Here are some pictures of these charming sites.  There's even one of me! 
(As per usual, click on them to see them in their glory.)