Our Lady of the Hoz

Shrine of the Lordship of Molina (Guadalajara)

Incrustated under the rock of the Barranco de la Hoz, next to the Gallo River, in the Alto Tajo, a medieval sanctuary has a Roman size venerated as patron of the Vega del Gallo and the Lordship of Molina.

Origin and history

The sanctuary, embedded in the canyon of the Gallo River within the Natural Park of Alto Tajo, has medieval origin: by the 13th century there was already a protogotic hermitage carved in the rock. In the 12th century they settled there canons of Saint Augustine, and in 1272 the bishop of Sigüenza acquired the place; the sanctuary of Saint Mary of Molina has been documented since 1168. The celebration of the patronage is held on Saturday before Pentecost, and the Romeria with the "Loa," declared of Provincial Tourist Interest, on Sunday after the Corpus.

The legend tells that a pastor of Ventosa found the image on a rock from which light came out, shortly after the reconquest; taken to Molina, he returned to the ravine, so his sanctuary was built there. It's a story of popular piety.

Canonical coronation: not found in the sources.