Peña de Francia, Mountain summit in Province of Salamanca, Spain.
Peña de Francia is a 1723-meter peak in the Sierra de Francia with steep slopes covered by oak forests and pine woodlands. The summit features quartzite rock formations and supports a mix of Mediterranean vegetation types across its terrain.
In 1434, French student Simon Vela discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary in a cave on this mountain. This discovery led to the establishment of the sanctuary and transformed the location into a pilgrimage destination.
The Dominican sanctuary at the summit houses a venerated image of the Virgin Mary that draws pilgrims throughout the year. This sacred place holds deep meaning for local communities and remains an important spiritual center in the Salamanca region.
A winding road reaches the summit where an inn serves meals and provides lodging for visitors. Multiple viewpoints along the route offer views across the surrounding landscape toward Extremadura.
Mountain goats inhabit the rocky cliffs of this peak and can often be spotted in their natural habitat among the quartzite rock formations. Their presence adds to the wild character of this mountain region.
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