Our Lady of the Ancient

Patron Saint of Guadalajara

Patron saint of Guadalajara, Our Lady of Antigua is venerated in a temple of medieval origin; tradition holds that she was the first Marian image honored in the city after the Reconquista.

Origin and history

The veneration of Our Lady of Antigua is reliably documented from the early 16th century—a weekly Mass in her honor was established in 1505—and firmly attested at least from the 17th century, with particular prominence during times of drought, epidemics, and war. The church, formerly the Church of Santo Tomé, preserves 13th-century remains and a Mudéjar apse. The venerated image dates from the modern period (16th-17th centuries), a dressed statue with a carved face and hands.

Tradition holds that this was the first Marian image venerated after the Reconquista of Guadalajara (1085), and it is said that it remained hidden in a wall during the Muslim rule, hence its title of "La Antigua" (The Ancient One). The City Council declared it patron saint on September 12, 1883, a decision confirmed by the Archbishop of Toledo that same year; it was canonically crowned on September 28, 1930, by Cardinal Pedro Segura. Its feast day is September 8.