Virgin of Rosell, Medieval Marian statue in Santa María de Gracia Church, Cartagena, Spain
The Virgin of Rosell is a wooden statue housed in Santa María de Gracia Church, showing Mary seated on a throne with the Child in her lap. The figure displays polychrome painting with gold accents and decorative details that reflect modifications from different periods.
The statue dates back to the 14th century and was originally kept in Cartagena's old cathedral. It was later moved to Santa María de Gracia Church, where it remains today.
The statue holds deep meaning for local devotion, with people gathering for special processions through the city streets. Visitors and residents light candles before it and seek protection for their families.
The statue is accessible in Santa María de Gracia Church located in Cartagena's old town, which is open during regular visiting hours. The second Sunday of November offers a special occasion to visit when local celebrations take place.
The statue's colors were reworked in stages between the 16th and 18th centuries, creating complex layers of artistic change. These modifications show how later generations reinterpreted the appearance of the medieval piece.
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