Virgin of Butarque

Marian Advocation of Leganés (Community of Madrid)

Patrona de Leganés and Captain General of the Armies (distinction granted for the first time to a Marian image in Spain, in 1571). According to the pious tradition, in 1117 a miller known as "El Cristiano" found a dark image (of brown complexion) among pizzas next to the Butarque stream. The image told him, "I want a temple and an altar." By trying to move her to the parish, the image miraculously returned to the site of the find, a sign that motivated the construction of a hermitage in that place.

Main data

Origin and history

Patrona de Leganés and Captain General of the Armies (distinction granted for the first time to a Marian image in Spain, in 1571). According to the pious tradition, in 1117 a miller known as "El Cristiano" found a dark image (of brown complexion) among pizzas next to the Butarque stream. The image told him, "I want a temple and an altar." By trying to move her to the parish, the image miraculously returned to the site of the find, a sign that motivated the construction of a hermitage in that place.

The most notable historical link is that of Don Juan de Austria, the natural son of Charles I, who grew up in Leganés and was devoted to this image. In 1571, under the command of the Christian fleet in the battle of Lepanto, he carried the image with him. After the victory, he was awarded the title of Captain General of the Armies; historically it was the first time that such a distinction was given to a Marian image, so the Virgin of Butarque looks like a military red flaw.

The image and the sanctuary

The hermitage was built in 1536 on the outskirts of the village. A devastating fire on December 30, 1969 destroyed the interior, losing the original image. It was rebuilt; the last major restoration dates from 2007.

Sponsorship and coronation

Patron of Legan. Canonically crowned on 20 May 2017 in the Plaza Mayor, presided by the bishop of Getafe with the bull of Pope Francis, commemorates the IX Centenary of the apparition (1117-2017).

Party and devotion

August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not show a specific or unique link between this devotion and the Rosary.