A new miracle in Mazarron as a lost 18th century print illustrates the Miracle of 1585

The illustration clearly shows the Miracle of Bolnuevo and the main monuments of Mazarron in 1765

An emotionally charged event took place on Tuesday November 15 in the council chambers of Mazarrón when an old historical document which had not been seen for centuries was revealed: an 18^th-century print which features the oldest known pictorial representation of Mazarrón.

The print measures just 44 cm by 32 cm but it not only captures the essence of the municipality and coastline of Mazarrón but also the site of the Miracle which occurred in Bolnuevo on 17^th November 1585, when the Virgen de la Purísima saved the population from an imminent raid by Berber pirates.

The print was made in 1765 by Domingo Ximénez de Cisneros responding to a request made by Franciscan monk Diego Vibanco, and it was found by the official chronicler of Mazarrón, Mariano Guillén, in the Almería municipality of Fondón, in the mountains of the Alpujarra.

Mayor Ginés Campillo Méndez highlights the historical significance of the finding on the eve of the 438th anniversary of the Miracle of Bolnuevo, while Mariano Guillén is delighted with the pictorial representation of the castle of Los Vélez and other well-known locations in Mazarrón. Facsimiles are to be printed so that members of the public can also enjoy this piece of artwork and keep alive one of the most important traditions in the town.

As for the discovery of this ancient document, it was made after an old mansion was demolished in the village of Laujar de Andarax, close to Fondón.

Images: Nacho Ruiz

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