Virgen De La Cabeza between the Sierra Morena and Pilgrimage Culture

Virgen De La Cabeza combines natural surroundings with religious heritage. The Basílica y Real Santuario de la Santísima Virgen de la Cabeza is located in the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Andújar, in the area known as Cerro del Cabezo. Here, you will find a place whose highlights include the landscape, hiking trails, museum and pilgrimage tradition.

Natural surroundings

In the Parque Natural Sierra de Andújar, threatened and characteristic species find a refuge among Mediterranean woodland and dehesas; the park represents the hilly landscape typical of the Sierra Morena. The Sendero El Santuario trail leads through Mediterranean woodland and dehesas with holm oaks and cork oaks. The Centro de recepción de visitantes Virgen de la Cabeza visitor centre provides information about the monument, its religious heritage and the Parque Natural de Sierra de Andújar natural area.

Hiking trails

The Camino Viejo: Tramo Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza–Lugar Nuevo section begins at Cerro del Cabezo and runs entirely downhill. The Circular Santuario–Río Jándula circular trail begins and ends in the square of the Santuario de la Virgen de la Cabeza. For your personal planning, the two routes can be compared based on their different courses.

Culture and pilgrimage tradition

The Romería de la Virgen de la Cabeza has been celebrated on the last Sunday in April since the first half of the 13th century. The Sunday celebration culminates in a procession of the Santísima Virgen de la Cabeza. During the Romería, participants arrive on foot, on horseback, on mules or in wagons. The Basílica y Real Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza was originally built between 1287 and 1304. After being almost completely destroyed during the last civil war, it was rebuilt and elevated to the status of a minor basilica by a papal brief on 21 April 2010.

Museum

The Museo Mariano Virgen de la Cabeza is located in the Santuario premises. It displays a significant artistic, documentary and anthropological collection relating to the historical heritage of devotion to the Virgen de la Cabeza. In the museum’s first room, there is a 17th-century painting of the Romería.

When comparing a holiday apartment in Virgen De La Cabeza, you can check travel dates, room category and cancellation policies side by side on accommodation pages. When planning your own trip, the local points of interest can be considered separately and incorporated into your travel plans: natural surroundings, trails, museum and pilgrimage tradition.

Getting there

The A-6177 road connects Andújar with the Santuario and is the main access route to the Parque Natural Sierra de Andújar; the connection is 32 km long.

Other places in the same selection: El Parralejo, Vilches, La Carolina, Fuensanta De Martos, Los Villares, Andújar, Pilas de Fuente Soto, El Almicerán

For the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.