The Virgen de la Regla is a great spiritual sanctuary for Chipiona’s inhabitants. She is the patron saint of the town, and lots of festivals and celebrations are held in honour of her image. Her sanctuary is a neo-Gothic church dating from the early twentieth century, which was built on the site of previous historic edifices. When it was built, it was intended that its tower should be the same height as Chipiona’s lighhouse, but this plan was abandoned following an accident in which four workers died. The church was blessed in 1906 by the Archbishop of Seville, and consecrated by the Bishop of Tangiers soon afterwards.
Nowadays, the Virgen de la Regla attracts countless worshippers from all over the world. It is visited by several hundred pilgrims every day. Franciscan missionaries spread the word about the Virgin in many different countries. And the sanctuary has collected testimonies of miracles performed by the Virgin.
- The History of the Santuario de Regla
- What to see on your visit to the Santuario de Regla
- The Virgen de Regla
- Information and recommendations
The History of the Santuario de Regla
We need to go back to the year 1399 to find the first documented step towards the creation of the building that would, centuries later, become the Santuario de Regla. In that year, Pedro Ponce de León converted his old castle into an Augustinian monastery. The monks built a church to house the Virgen de la Regla, and vestiges from that time still remain, such as the sacristy decorations and part of the old cloister. However, the Augustinians were forced to abandon the monastery in 1835 due to the Mendizábal Disentailment. The building fell into ruins, and the image of the Virgin was transferred to the parish of Chipiona. Then, Father José María Lerchundi proposed to the Royal Family, who were devotees of the Virgen de la Regla, that the building be restored for Franciscan missionaries, a proposal which was approved in 1882. The Sanctuary of Chipiona was built between 1904 and 1906, and in 1909 the bell tower was completed. A few years later the second cloister was also completed; this part of the church contains the rooms used by the aspiring missionaries.
What to see on your visit to the Santuario de Regla
As you step into the Santuario de Santa María de Regla, you will find yourself inside a church with three naves, side altars and a presbytery housing the chapel of the Virgin and a neo-Gothic altarpiece. The side naves are adorned with various altarpieces and revered images, such as the Christ of Love, the Nazarene, and the Christ of Humility and Patience. You will see how the Franciscan simplicity of church’s interior blends with the beauty of the stained-glass windows, which were installed in 1954. The Sanctuary has a large choir and an organ that is used during worship. And if you are in luck, you may hear the sound of the bells, which normally accompanies the arrival of residents and visitors from Chipiona.
The Virgen de Regla
The story of the image of the Virgin of Chipiona is a mixture of legend and historical fact. According to legend, the image belonged to the private oratory of Saint Augustine, and was brought to Chipiona by a storm. It is also said that, during the period of Arab rule, the image was hidden inside a well until it was recovered by a monk. The Virgin’s face is dark and that of the Baby Jesus is fair, and the explanation provided by the legend is that the votive candle remained alight in the well, and that the Virgin protected her child from being damaged by it. What is more likely that that the image had always been dark, like others of its time. The carved image of the Virgin, which has been dated to between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries, is carried out in a procession around the central streets of the town every year on the date of her festival, the 8th of September. Over the preceding and following days, various religious ceremonies and activities are held in honour of the Virgen de Regla.
Information and recommendations
The Santuario de Regla (Chipiona) is open to the public from Monday to Sunday between 8.00 a.m. and 12.00 midday, and from 5.00 p.m. until the final mass, normally celebrated at 8.30 p.m.
It is worth finding out in advance about the services held at the Santuario each day as these can vary, and the church is closed to visitors during religious services.
Admission to the Santuario is free. It is possible to book a guided tour of the church at email visitas@santamariaderegla.com. The cost of the guided tour is 7 euros per person. Tickets can be obtained in the Santuario’s shop, or by email. Guided tours of the library cost 5 euros and groups are limited. In addition, for 6 euros you can visit the cellar and the permanent nativity scene. It is advisable to confirm the opening hours.
