History and miracles of the Pilgrimage of the Virgen de la Cabeza de Andújar

The ‘Santísima Virgen de la Cabeza’, literally the ‘Blessed Virgin of the Head’, is the most venerated virgin in the town of Andújar, Jaén (Andalusia), and tradition has it that this virgin is the worker of numerous miracles. The history of its worship goes back to St. Euphrasius, the disciple of the apostle James, who is considered the first bishop of Andújar as he brought with him the image of the virgin, to whom he gave his devotion. Here, we discover the history and miracles of the pilgrimage celebration the ‘Romería de la Virgen de la Cabeza’ in Andújar, celebrated annually on the last weekend in April.

Andújar, the devout town

Andújar is a municipality in the province of Jaén (Andalusia) located on the banks of the river Betis and at the foot of Sierra Morena. It is a town with more than 38,000 inhabitants.

If there’s one thing the municipality stands out for, it’s the devotional worship to the Virgen de la Cabeza, which has a Basilica and Royal Sanctuary located in the heart of the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park.

History and miracles of the Virgen de la Cabeza

Tradition has it that the Virgin in question appeared to the shepherd in Colomera on 12th August 1227 on the Cerro de la Cabeza hill, in the heart of the Sierra Morena. The shepherd found an image of this virgin and the devotion to this figure was started. Although it is believed that the work could have been abandoned by the Order of Calatrava in the fort of Jándula, tradition says that it was the apostle Saint Euphrasius, disciple of the apostle James, who carried the Virgen de la Cabeza with him.

The legend of the apparition says that the virgin asked the shepherd to build a temple in that mountainous place. According to the Virgin’s devotees, she also healed the shepherd’s injured arm, a miracle that made her the patron saint of Andújar thanks to the devotion she unleashed in the shepherd. Once the temple was built and the image of the Virgin was installed in it, pilgrims began to visit and honour her. The Romería, the pilgrimage, of the Virgen de la Cabeza de Andújar is considered the oldest in Spain.

Today, Andújar continues to honour and venerate the so-called ‘Virgin of the Head’, thanks to her history and miracles kept alive by the religious brotherhoods. She is one of the most famous and celebrated virgins in all of Spain, and the celebration of her is a sight to behold.