Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Peña

Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Peña is a popular pilgrimage site situated in the small Spanish village of Sepúlveda, in the province of Segovia. The site dates back to the 12th century, when a hermit called Estabanillo Núñez noticed a light appearing over the cave and heard voices coming out of it; soon, the image of the Virgin of the Rock (Peña) was discovered within the cave. This Miracle of Our Lady of the Cavern earned Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Peña the status of a destination for pilgrimage.

Every 24th of September, thousands of pilgrims make their way to this holy site to pay respect to the Christian icon. Different religious events and festivals are held during the whole month of September. The church complex still stands in its original form and looks very much like it did when it was first constructed; a large Romanesque style sanctuary with plenty of stone sculptures that decorate the facade. Inside, the Church of the Virgin is divided into several parts with several chapels. The floor of the main temple is made of marble and each side of the altar is decorated with murals that depict scenes from the lives of Jesus and Virgin María. Visitors can also take a tour of the underground caves and visit the crypt of Santa Juana (the patron saint of Sepúlveda). Other activities include visiting the Roman bridge located just behind the hermitage, the alleys and squares of the old town and the Sanctuary’s museum.