Shirine of la Virgen de la Velilla

Prior to the 13th century, a monk called Guillermo had settled at the place. He had fled from Sahagún’s calamity and the obliteration of his monastery. He managed to gather some local anchorites and start a life of prayer and penance. In the 14^th century, the monks of San Guillermo (Saint William) disappeared, and worship to the Virgin of the Valleys was forsaken. In the second half of the 15^th century, devotion reemerged due to a miracle: the discovery of a statue of the Virgin by Don Diego de Prado, nobleman from La Mata de Monteagudo. After the discovery, he decided to build her an altar. In 1615, the shrine construction began, in a Renaissance style, managed by the master Domingo de Lastra. The temple had only one nave with a crossing covered in a semicircular vault.

The altarpiece and the Virgin’s altar were placed in the background. On the crossing’s sides, there were two Renaissance altarpieces still preserved today. Soon after, reforms began, and a portico was placed at the Southern façade, containing an alcove for the statue of the Immaculate Virgin over the gate. A tower was also raised there, and a rich safe-keeping room and a great altarpiece were built there too. The tower and portico were built under the supervision of Master Francisco de Mirones and, upon his death, of Don Diego de Falla. The main chapel’s altarpiece was made in a Baroque style by masters Francisco de Uriarte and Diego de Avendaño. The safe-keeping room was built, whose floor is showing part of the ground, displaying the place where the Virgin appeared. Furthermore, a choir was put in the tower, besides the Puerta de las Procesiones (Processions gate). The figure of the Virgin found in 1470 disappeared in 1979 due to a robbery in the shrine. Don Diego de Prado’s family (Don Diego was nicknamed el Dichoso -“the blessed/happy”-) is buried in the shrine. San Guillermo’s Relics are located in the Northern part.

Address: Carretera de Puente Almuhey a la Mata de Monteagudo s/n, 24887, La Mata de Monteagudo (León)

Phone number: (+34) 987716204 (Town council).

Opening hours: Only in Easter and Summer, both in the morning and in the afternoon/evening.