The legend of the Blessed Virgin of Monserrate

At the time when the Visigoths were the inhabitants of our beloved orihuela, on one of the gates of the city was venerated the image known as Maria Madre de Dios de la Puerta. Next to him was the Hermitage of San Julián. (Where his sanctuary now resides).

This image, according to some ancient legends was brought by a disciple of the Apostle Santiago the Major of name San Trifón ..

Already in the historical stage in which the Arabs settled down in our dominions and shortly after the treaty of Teodomiro by the Muslims stopped, the inhabitants of Aurariola for fear that its enemies were made with the image venerated decided Hide it under a bell in the Oriolana rock.

Later, during the reconquest the oriolanos put without rest to the search of the image removing and crossing all the mountain oriolana but without obtaining its prize.

The years passed and arrived in 1306, an invisible bell began to ring there in the distance in the mountains for three consecutive nights.

A shepherd went to meet this miraculous feat, went up to the rock and came to the place where he sounded with more intensity. There he dug until he found a cave and inside he found a bell.
When he got up, he was speechless and prostrated before the feet of what we now know as the Virgin of Monserrate.

An image of the virgin sitting on a chair with a child in her arms and a bird between the child's fingers

The legend says that raised by two angels to show itself to Orihuela after having been hidden for seven centuries.

In that place was built the current sanctuary where our patron saint is venerated.