Virgin of the Angels

Marian title of Getafe (Community of Madrid)

Patrona de Getafe and the Diocese of Getafe, venerated in the Cerro de los Angeles (considered by the Arab tradition the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula). According to the pious tradition, between the 11th and 12th centuries some shepherds found the image on the hill; in trying to move it between Pinto and Getafe, the image miraculously returned to the hill every night, which motivated the building of the hermitage in that place. It is believed that the first hermitage dates from the 11th century, built after the conquest of Alfonso VI. The primitive hermitage was destroyed in the 14th century; the reconstructed in the 17th century was completed in the 18th; devastated in the Civil War, it was rebuilt in 1945 by the architect Rodolfo García- Pables.

Main data

Origin and history

Patrona de Getafe and the Diocese of Getafe, venerated in the Cerro de los Angeles (considered by the Arab tradition the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula). According to the pious tradition, between the 11th and 12th centuries some shepherds found the image on the hill; in trying to move it between Pinto and Getafe, the image miraculously returned to the hill every night, which motivated the building of the hermitage in that place. It is believed that the first hermitage dates from the 11th century, built after the conquest of Alfonso VI. The primitive hermitage was destroyed in the 14th century; the reconstructed in the 17th century was completed in the 18th; devastated in the Civil War, it was rebuilt in 1945 by the architect Rodolfo García- Pables.

The image and the sanctuary

The image is venerated in the Cerro de los Angeles hermitage. The Royal and Illustrated Congregation Our Lady of Angels, established canonically on November 20, 1817, has over 8,000 members, being one of the most numerous Marian congregations in Spain.

Sponsorship and coronation

Patroness of Getafe and the Diocese of Getafe. Canonically crowned on 19 May 2002 (Sunday of Pentecost), by Pope John Paul II (pontifical document of 25 April 2002).

Party and devotion

2 August (liturgical feast). The most solemn holiday is the "down" in Romry from Getafe on the Thursday of Ascension (documented since 1616); the "rise" of the image is celebrated on Sunday of the Most Holy Trinity.

Link to the Rosary

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