Mitos y leyendas: The Virgin of the Valley

Mitos y leyendas shares with you the legend of the Virgin of the Valley.

This woman is an important part of the Catholic religion.

She has many representations around the globe.

Religion is an important part of many people’s lives worldwide. The figures within these doctrines have many stories of how they became known to people.

The Virgin is one of the most important and representative figures in the Catholic world and also has countless names depending on many factors.

One of the most well-known is the Virgin of Guadalupe, but she is not the only image of this important figure.

For today’s legend, the Virgin of the Valley will be the central figure, who is said to be the patroness of all.

Choja Grotto

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The figure of the Virgin of the Valley is an object of deep devotion in all Andean regions.

During her celebration day, crowds of faithful converge at the Valley sanctuary, some after long journeys to get there.

The revered image was rescued from the Choja Grotto in 1618 by a Spaniard named Manuel Salazar.

The origin of how the image reached that place is a mystery, as it was hidden in the grotto, surrounded by rocks, until it was discovered by the indigenous people in the early 17th century.

Divine Hand

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They celebrated in secret with dances and bonfires, convinced that the image had been placed there by the divine hand.

An indigenous servant of Salazar revealed the secret of the Virgin to his master, who, upon receiving this information, rescued her from the grotto despite the resistance of the indigenous people.

Initially, he took the image to Collagasta and then to his residence in Valle Viejo, but on both occasions, the image disappeared during the night, only to be found again in the grotto the next day.

Salazar recovered it once more, but it disappeared again from his house.

Everyone Included

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The neighbors interpreted these disappearances as the divine will of the Virgin, who did not want to be the patroness of a few, but of many and of all.

Convinced of this desire, the neighbors built a chapel where they placed the miraculous image.

This is a wonderful story that makes one feel tranquil due to the presence of this loving woman in life.

Mitos y leyendas bids you farewell for now and hopes that the legend of the Virgin of the Valley has been to your liking. Until next time!