National Shrine of Our Lady of the Dew

Shrine of Our Lady of El Rocío stands in the village of El Rocío, part of the municipality of Almonte in Huelva province, on the edge of the Doñana wetlands. It is one of the most important Marian shrines in Spain and the destination of the country's largest annual pilgrimage.

How did the shrine come to be?

The first chapel on this site, the hermitage of Santa María de las Rocinas, was raised in the second half of the 13th century, after the land was retaken from Muslim rule under Alfonso X the Wise. The building stood for centuries until an earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755 left it badly damaged. A larger replacement, built in Mudéjar style with Baroque touches, was blessed a few years later. The shrine visitors see today dates from the 20th century: the older hermitage was pulled down in 1963, and the current building, designed by architects Antonio Delgado y Roig and Alberto Balbontín de Orta, opened in 1969.

What is the romería of El Rocío?

The shrine's fame rests largely on the annual pilgrimage, or romería, held in the days leading up to Pentecost Sunday. It ranks among the largest and best-known religious gatherings in Spain: dozens of brotherhoods (hermandades) travel from across Andalusia and beyond, some on horseback or by ox-cart, covering a multi-day route through the surrounding countryside. At its peak, the number of pilgrims gathered in the village has been estimated at over a million.

The pilgrimage's best-known moment is the salto de la reja, when young members of the host brotherhood from Almonte leap over the grille separating the altar from the nave to be first to carry the image of the Virgin out in procession through the village. It is widely regarded as the most charged moment of the entire romería.

Who is Our Lady of El Rocío?

The main altar holds a small medieval image of the Virgin, venerated by locals and visiting pilgrims alike. She is popularly known as the "White Dove," a nickname rooted in centuries of devotion and in how often the image is carried out among the crowds during processions.

What is there to see at the shrine?

The building itself, with its white facade and tower visible above the rooftops from a distance, is one of the visual symbols of the region. El Rocío's own streets set it apart too — unpaved sand rather than asphalt, lined with wooden porches fronting the brotherhood houses, giving the village an appearance unlike most other places in Spain. It also borders Doñana National Park, drawing visitors with an interest in nature alongside those coming for the shrine itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the El Rocío pilgrimage take place? It is held in the days before Pentecost Sunday, so the exact dates shift each year according to the liturgical calendar.

Can the shrine be visited outside pilgrimage season? Yes, it functions as an active parish church and remains open to visitors and pilgrims throughout the year, outside of service times.

Why is the image called the "White Dove"? The nickname "Paloma Blanca" has become part of the popular tradition surrounding the cult and is commonly used alongside the full title of Our Lady of El Rocío.

How is the romería different from an ordinary pilgrimage? Beyond its religious core, the event has a strong communal and festive character — brotherhoods travel together on horseback and by cart, and the journey through the countryside can take several days.