Our Lady of Crystal

"A Pequeniña" · Vilanova dos Infantes (Ourense)

In Vilanova dos Infantes, near Celanova, venerates the Virgin of the Crystal, "A Pequeniña": a tiny Marian image contained in a glass block, one of the smallest in the world and of technique never reproduced.

Origin and history

The image, "A Pequeniña," is a minuscule Marian effigy (the inner sheet measures about 2 cm) contained in a solid glass block that acts as a magnifying glass, dating back to the mid-17th century. It is one of the smallest Marian images of devotion in the world, and the technique with which the sheet was introduced into the glass is considered an unreproduced secret, which has fed its fame.

The tradition places the finding in 1650 by a shepherd; devotion grew so much that in the 18th century the present Baroque sanctuary was erected. The original image was stolen in 2015 and is in unknown whereabouts; today a replica is being venerated. He is attributed miracles of protection from epidemics (cholera) and fertility. His party, on September 15, includes the "procession do meet" with San Roque and San Sebastián.

Canonical coronation: not recorded. The original image was stolen in 2015.