National Shrine of Our Lady of the Dew, Marian sanctuary in El Rocío, Spain
The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Dew is a pilgrimage site in the village of El Rocío in Huelva province, standing in bright white beside the Doñana wetlands. A square bell tower with a neobaroque gable marks the entrance, while inside three aisles are arranged in a Latin cross and a central sanctuary space directs the gaze toward the statue.
King Alfonso X founded a small chapel in 1270 in the marshy area of Las Rocinas, forming the core of later devotion. The current neobaroque church was built in the 20th century, replacing earlier structures lost to earthquakes and damage.
The statue of the Virgin stands behind gilded silver in a niche above the main altar, surrounded by countless votive offerings. Pilgrims touch the walls and columns as they pass, wearing the stone smooth in places.
The doors open every day from sunrise to sunset, with hours varying by season. Mass services take place regularly, but times shift between summer and winter.
Two side doors connect the interior directly to the marshlands outside, making the transition between sacred space and wetland feel almost fluid. When water levels rise, the marshes sometimes reach close to the thresholds.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
