Our Lady of the Rock of France

Patron saint of Ciudad Rodrigo

The tradition of finding the image by Simon Velaa French, 1434-1436is based on documents of the sanctuary and the Order of Preachers, although the specific account of the pilgrim contains legendary elements.

Main data

Origin and history

The tradition of finding the image by Simon Velaa French, 1434-1436is based on documents of the sanctuary and the Order of Preachers, although the specific account of the pilgrim contains legendary elements.

The Dominican sanctuary was organized in the middle of the 15th century as a great Marian pilgrimage center in the Sierra de France. Since then, numerous miracles and exvotes are documented, collected in Dominican chronicles and in publications of the sanctuary, which present the Virgin as a protector of walkers, sick and people of the region.

The image and the sanctuary

The image is venerated in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rock of Francein the term El Cabaco (Salamanca), La Alberca being the closest urban reference in the Sierra de France. The sanctuary is governed by the Dominicans.

Sponsorship and coronation

She is a patron of the diocese of Ciudad Rodrigo, where she is venerated as a co-patron, and a patron of many towns in the Sierra de France. His canonical coronation took place in 1904, recognized by the diocese and by the Dominican order.

Party and devotion

The main party is held September 8, festive of the Nativity of the Virgin, as the Solemnity of the Virgin of the Peña of France, according to the Order of Preachers and the Diocese of Salamanca. An affectionate devotion is that of the emigrants: many salmantinos in America still today maintain devotion to the Peña of France, with images and hermandades that imitate the serrano sanctuary.

Link to the Rosary

As a Dominican sanctuary, the spread of devotion to the Rosary is an integral part of its spirituality. Historical studies by the Order of Preachers and the diocese confirm the existence of Rosary confraternities linked to the sanctuary and to this devotion in the region.