History of the Virgin of the Rocio

The Romería del Rocío is well known, nationally and internationally, for the devout faith that its pilgrims process to the Virgin of the Rocío.

Good morning, today from Lince, rural house, we want to tell you about Rocío and its historical tradition. The Romería del Rocío is well known, nationally and internationally, for the devout faith that its pilgrims process to the Virgen del Rocío.

El Rocío calls each spring, in its municipality of Almonte, to hundreds of thousands of people from the farthest corners of the world to proclaim their devotion to the Virgin of the Rocío, the White Dove and the Queen of the Marshes.

The Virgin os the Rocío and her origin

Respect to the origin of this ingrained tradition there are different versions, some more poetic and legendary than others.

The most widespread legend tells that in the fifteenth century, a hunter went to Las Rocinas to hunt. There, he found the image in an olive tree. It is said that the woodcutter described her as a figure of pilgrim beauty. Dazzled by its beauty, the hunter and the locals built a temple in that place in honor of the image they named the Virgen del Rocío.

However, the writings found in this regard suggest that the tradition of this pilgrimage began in the time of Alfonso X, who is believed to have built the first chapel with the figure of the Virgen del Rocío, known in those years as La Rocina. In minutes of the City council of the population of Almonte, it is possible to be seen that several witings indicate the existence of the devout brotherhood of this Virgin in century XVI.

Since then, little by little, both the Hermitage and the Virgin of the Rocío were evolving thanks to the particular donations that their devotees could make. It is known that in 1653 it was named Nuestra Señora del Rocío. And by the middle of the 18th century, the belief in its association with the holy spirit begins, being known since then as La Blanca Paloma.

Although the first version is the most widespread and the second the most official, there are many more stories about it. The best option is to come and check it out for yourself. The door of our Rural House in El Rocío is open to you.