The Santuario de la Virgen del Saliente in Albox

The Patron of Albox is housed in a mountain Sanctuary 20 km from the town itself

The Santuario de la Virgen del Saliente, known popularly as the “Santuario del Saliente”, stands atop the hill of Monte Roel in the Sierra de las Estancias, the mountains which run along the northern side of the Almanzora Valley, and was built in the 18th century. It is generally agreed that it is the most important building in the architectural heritage of the town of Albox and it has been officially declared a historical and artistic monument.

History

Construction work on the sanctuary was originally begun by the local clergymen Lázaro de Martos and Roque Tendero, but the building we see now was largely overseen by Bishop Claudio Sanz y Torres, from the year 1769 onwards. In essence it followed a traditional style, hovering between baroque and neo-classical, with the church, the cloisters, a water tank and 18 arches around a rectangular shape.

When the confiscation of Church properties began under King Carlos IV in 1798 the Sanctuary was stripped of much of its land and a period of serious financial difficulties ensued. During the Spanish Independence War in 1810 General Joaquín Blake removed all of the valuables and the deterioration continued in the 19th century.

However, the cult of the Virgen del Saliente continued, and in 1878 some 30,000 pilgrims heeded the call of Bishop José María Orberá y Carrión to make the journey to the Sanctuary, consolidating the Saint’s reputation and following.

In the 20^th century various restoration projects were carried out, but at the start of the Spanish Civil War the building was seized (on 26^th July 1936). Over the next three years all religious images and artwork were destroyed and even the bells were removed from the tower, while many of the clergy were summarily executed. It was not until 12th April 1939 that the Sanctuary was returned to the Church and a period of reconstruction began (under the management of the Cofradía de Nuestra Señora del Saliente between 1953 and 1975).

Two more major pilgirmages were held in 1948 and 1954, and on the second occasion the holy coronoation of the Virgen was proposed while her statue was taken to the city of Almería to take part in a grand homage to the Virgen de la Inmaculada.

In 1970 Bishop Manuel Casares allowed visits to resume to the figure of La Pequeñica in Albox and further restoration followed with the work on the temple, prior to the canonical crowning of La Pequeñica by permission of Pope John Paul II in August 1988.

In 20169 a Holy Jubilee Year was held to coincide with the 300^th anniversary of the founding of the original church on Monte Roel and two years later La Pequeíca was officially declared the Patron of Albox. Today the number of pilgrims arriving at the Sanctuary continues to be significant.

Decoration

In terms of the importance of the institution, the most significant element of the interior is the figure of Nuestra Señora del Buen Retiro de los Desamparados del Saliente, a small, baroque wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary which measures only around 60 cm in height. The juniper Wood was painted in rich colours, and although no exact date has been placed on its creation it is supposed that it was made in the early 18^th century.

Due to her size, the Virgin is almost always referred to as "La Pequeñica".

She stands in a collection of figures sculpted elements along with two angels, the moon and a dragon, an unusual collection for the time when she was created, and in 1987 Monseñor Casares, at the time the Bishop of Almería, initiated procedures for the Virgen del Saliente to be awarded a canonical coronation by the Vatican. A few months later the required Papal Bull was received, and the fervour of adoration for the Virgen gained a further boost.

The Crown she now wears was made in the workshops of craftsmen in Granada following the precedents set by similar adornments of the late 19^th century. It includes diamonds on each of the 16 points as well as emeralds and rubies, while in the centre is a Latin cross.

Another important feature is the sculpture of the Virgen de los Desamparados, while the carpentry which decorates much of the interior is also worthy of note and was created by the brothers Joaquín, Alfonso and Francisco Sánchez Campoy from the town of Albox.

The Romería on 8th September

Tradition has it that the feast day of the Virgen del Saliente is celebrated on 8th September, and that the pilgrimage of the faithful (and not so faithful) to the Sanctuary begins the day before. This is when the last of the “Novenaria” services are held in the churches of Santa María and La Concepción, after the last of which the walk to El Saliente officially begins.

Before dawn on 8th September the religious services continue without intereruption until midday, when the Angelus is said, and then the figure of the saint is carried in procession around the building. The celebrations continue until well into the late afternoon and evening.

It’s a long trip from the centre of Albox, around 21 kilometres, so although some pilgrims and keen hikers choose to make the journey on foot many opt for bikes or some form of motor transport. In the past, of course, the effort was handed down to oxen, donkeys and other beasts of burden, hauling carts and carriages up the hillside.

Some of the most fervently religious complete the journey barefoot as a sign of penitence, while others, extraordinarily, crawl on their hands and knees!

In times past, monetary donations were made to the sanctuary, but nowadays these tend to take the form of non-perishable foodstuffs for distribution among those in need. For reasons which are lost in the past, one traditional offering is basil, although nowadays it is usually accompanied by colourful flowers.

The Romería was declared an element of Spanish Historical Heritage in 1992, ten years previous to its being awarded National Tourist Interest status.

Opening hours

The sanctuary is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday between 10.30 and 14.00 and on Friday and Saturday afternoons from 16.00 to 18.00.

Mass is held on Sundays and religious feast days at 13.00.