Our Lady of Atocha or Virgin of Atocha (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de Atocha or Virgen de Atocha), is a title of the Virgin Mary, whose image is housed in the Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha in Madrid, Spain.
| Our Lady of Atocha | |
|---|---|
 Pictured in 2009 | |
| Location | Madrid, Spain |
| Date | First Sunday in October |
| Type | Marian art |
| Approval | Pope Pius XI (1930) |
| Shrine | Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha |
| Patronage | Spanish royal family |
She is the oldest patron of the city of Madrid. Since the 16th century, she has been regarded as the patron and protector of Spanish monarch and the royal family.
History
editThe name Atocha appears to derive from the term atochal, which means “field of esparto grass” (in fact, the words “atocha” and “esparto” are synonyms).[1]
Legend has it that the sculpture was created by Nicodemus with the assistance of Saint Luke and was brought from Antioch to Spain by the disciples of Saint Peter.[2][3] The earliest reference dates from the 7th century, by Saint Ildefonsus, in which it is presumed that the image to which he refers—and to whom he prayed—is the Virgin of Atocha.[2][4]
She is credited with numerous miracles, such as a Christian victory over the Muslims who occupied Madrid in the 8th century when a Christian soldier prayed to her; other miracles recorded in the 13th-century Cantigas de Santa Maria; the lifting of a plague in 1580 when she was carried in procession; following a major fire in the city in 1631 and Queen Isabella II attributed a miracle to it after surviving an assassination attempt in 1852 while visiting the basilica.[2][3]
In 1083, Alfonso VI had entrusted the royal standard to the Virgin following the conquest of Madrid.[4] Since the 16th century, Our Lady of Atocha is the patron and protector of Spanish monarch and the royal family ever since Emperor Charles I thanked the image for victory in the battles of Pavia, Tunis and Algiers.[3] Subsequent kings, such as Philip II, organised a Te Deum following the victory at Lepanto, and Philip VI proclaimed her “Protector of Spain, of the entire New World, of its fleets and galleons, of the Arms of this Monarchy, and Principal and Most Ancient Patron of this Imperial City of Madrid”.[3][5][4] A tradition was also established whereby the kings of Spain would present their children before the image of the Virgin; the most recent examples being Leonor, Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofía.[3]
Philip IV awarded her the Order of the Golden Fleece, the country's most distinguished honour, and Ferdinand VII awarded her the Order of Charles III after she was released by Napoleon in France; it was this very necklace that was placed around Leonor's neck on the day she came of age.[3][5]
King Alfonso XII and Mercedes of Orléans were married in the basilica before the statue, and Felipe VI and Letizia tossed the bridal bouquet there after their wedding in 2004.[3][5][4]
She was canonically crowned in 1930.[4]
Icon
editThe carving is small, made of dark wood.[2][5] The Virgin is seated on a backless throne, holding a child to whom she offers an apple, while the children Jesus has his right hand raised in a gesture of blessing.[2][5] It is the city's oldest image.[2][4]
She is venerated by the Dominican friars in the basilica of Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha.[2] The image survived the destruction of the basilica by Napoleon's troops in the 19th century, when was hidden by the friars, and by Republican militiamen in July 1936 during the firsts days of the Spanish Civil War.[3]
References
edit- ↑ Domingo, M.R. (12 March 2015). "La planta del esparto que dio nombre a la basílica y la calle de Atocha" [The esparto grass plant that gave its name to the basilica and Atocha Street]. ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Medialdea, Sara (4 March 2022). "Virgen de Atocha: la imagen negra que vino de Antioquía y es la más antigua de Madrid" [Virgen de Atocha: the black image that came from Antioquia and is the oldest in Madrid]. ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Mateu, A. (1 April 2025). "La historia de Nuestra Señora de Atocha, patrona de la monarquía española y protectora de la Familia Real" [The story of Our Lady of Atocha, patron saint of the Spanish monarchy and protector of the Royal Family]. Libertad Digital (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Martínez López, María (4 October 2014). "La basílica de Nuestra Señora de Atocha celebra su fiesta este domingo" [The Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha celebrates its feast day this Sunday]. alfayomega.es. p. es. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Rodrigo, Laura (5 March 2024). "La historia de la basílica de Atocha que custodia los secretos de la Familia Real" [The history of the Basilica of Atocha, which holds the secrets of the Royal Family]. El Debate (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 May 2026.