Our Lady of Europe

Sanctuary of Algeciras · Patron advocation of Gibraltar (Cadiz)

Born in Gibraltar in the 14th century, when a mosque in Punta de Europa became a Marian sanctuary, devotion to Our Lady of Europe - which consecrated the continent to its protection - is now being venerated in Algeciras in the enchanting "Chapel of Europe."

Origin and history

The advocation of Our Lady of Europe was born in Gibraltar in the 14th century, when an old mosque of the present Punta de Europa was transformed into a Marian sanctuary after the Spanish conquest of 1309; from there the European continent was dedicated to its protection. With the wars and British occupation of Gibraltar (1704), the image was damaged and transferred, and an image of the Virgin of Europe was taken to Algeciras, where a chapel-sanctuary was raised.

In Algeciras, the temple starts in 1690, when the bishop of Cadiz authorized a hermitage in the cortijo of the Gachet, first dedicated to San Bernardo and then transformed into the Chapel of Our Lady of Europe, the popular "Chapel of Europe," today Sanctuary. In 1864 the original image was returned to Gibraltar, and a replica was left in Algeciras. In 1979 John Paul II granted the title of Patroness of Gibraltar to the title of the advocation and set his feast on May 5.

Canonical patronage of Algeciras and canonical coronation: they are not recorded in the sources.