A piece of Murcia’s medieval history comes to Pilar de la Horadada this weekend, as Santa María de la Arrixaca, the historic patron of Murcia and its surrounding countryside, visits the municipality on Saturday 22 August.
The visit will bring together three important Marian traditions from
neighbouring Alicante and Murcia.
Santa María de la Arrixaca will join the Virgen del Pilar and the Virgen de la Asunción of Torre de la Horadada for a day of religious and cultural events.
Residents and visitors will have several opportunities to see the historic image, with events taking place in both Pilar de la Horadada and Torre de la Horadada.
Who is Santa María de la Arrixaca?
For anyone unfamiliar with the name, Santa María de la Arrixaca has an unusually long connection with Murcia.
The Romanesque image dates from the 12th century and has links to the old Mozarabic quarter of Islamic Murcia. The name Arrixaca comes from the Arabic name associated with the historic suburb, al-Rasqa.
Her importance grew following the Christian conquest of Murcia in the 13th century.
Alfonso X, known in English as Alfonso X the Wise, regarded Santa María de la Arrixaca as patron of the Kingdom of Murcia. He also included her in his famous medieval Cantigas de Santa María, a collection of songs and poems dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The Virgen de la Fuensanta took over as Murcia’s principal patron in the 18th century, but devotion to Santa María de la Arrixaca continued.
Today, the Church of San Andrés in Murcia houses the historic image, which remains an important part of the region’s religious heritage.
A link between Alicante and Murcia
The visit has particular relevance for Pilar de la Horadada because the municipality sits at the southern end of Alicante province, close to the border with the Region of Murcia.
Saturday’s programme will bring Santa María de la Arrixaca together with the Virgen del Pilar and the Virgen de la Asunción of Torre de la Horadada, linking religious traditions on both sides of the provincial border.
Organisers describe the visit as a historic occasion for the municipality. As well as its religious significance, the day gives residents and visitors a rare opportunity to see an image with centuries of history in south-east Spain.
What is happening on Saturday?
The programme begins at 11:00 when Santa María de la Arrixaca arrives at Plaza de la Iglesia in Pilar de la Horadada. The Town Hall will hold an official reception to mark her arrival.
At 12:00, the image will arrive at the church in Torre de la Horadada, followed by the Angelus, the traditional Catholic prayer commemorating the Annunciation.
Visitors can see Santa María de la Arrixaca from 12:15 until 20:00.
A farewell Mass at 20:00 will bring the day’s programme to a close.
Bridging the Gap recap
- Santa María de la Arrixaca comes to Pilar de la Horadada on Saturday 22 August.
- The programme starts at 11:00 in Plaza de la Iglesia in Pilar de la Horadada.
- The image arrives at the church in Torre de la Horadada at 12:00.
- Visitors can see the image from 12:15 until 20:00.
- A farewell Mass starts at 20:00.
- The Virgen del Pilar and Virgen de la Asunción of Torre de la Horadada will also take part.
- Santa María de la Arrixaca is the historic patron of Murcia and its surrounding countryside.
- The Romanesque image dates from the 12th century and has strong links with Alfonso X the Wise and medieval Murcia.
