The original hermitage was established by King Alfonso X the Wise in the 13th century after the Christian reconquest of the area.
The statue of the Virgin of El Rocío is known as 'La Blanca Paloma' (The White Dove).
The sanctuary does not have a traditional choir; the pilgrims sing the 'Salve Rociera' in front of the altar.
The structure is built on sandy ground, as El Rocío is a village with unpaved, sand-covered streets.
The altar features a 'camarín,' a small raised space behind the altar where the Virgin is housed and accessed by clergy.
The village surrounding the sanctuary is known for its private 'hermandades' or houses owned by different brotherhoods.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Dew (Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Rocío) is the focal point of the Romería del Rocío, one of Spain’s largest annual religious pilgrimages. The current sanctuary was constructed between 1964 and 1969 to replace a smaller 17th-century hermitage. It serves as the permanent home for the statue of the Virgin of El Rocío, a small 13th-century Gothic-style wooden carving. The building is located in the village of El Rocío, bordering the Doñana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its architecture is characterized by its white-washed walls and distinct regional Andalusian design. Inside, the high altar features a silver altarpiece crafted in the 20th century. The sanctuary is managed by the Hermandad Matriz de Almonte. During the pilgrimage at Pentecost, over a million visitors congregate in the surrounding village. The interior layout is designed to accommodate large crowds and facilitate the viewing of the Virgin statue.
The elevated vantage point from the village square looking toward the sanctuary entrance.
Remove your hat when entering the main sanctuary building.
Visit during the weekdays to avoid the heavy weekend crowds of local pilgrims.
Walk the perimeter of the sanctuary to see the view overlooking the Doñana marshes.
Do not attempt to visit during the week of Pentecost unless you are prepared for extreme, city-wide congestion and limited access.
Access is restricted or heavily controlled during the annual Romería del Rocío pilgrimage period at Pentecost.
Maintain a respectful silence inside the sanctuary; shoulders and knees should be covered as a sign of respect.
