Holy year of Guadalupe

Until September 10, 2022.

The first Holy Year or Jubilee Year was established by Pope Paul III in 1536 for the festival of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Five centuries later in 2005 another Supreme Pontiff, John Paul II, who visited the monastery in his first journey to Spain (1982), established Jubilee Years for each time the liturgical solemnity of the Virgen de Guadalupe (6th September) falls on a Sunday. This occurs every 6, 5, 6, and 11 years, i.e. 2009, 2015, 2020, 2026, 2037…

In order to earn the jubilee pilgrims must visit the magnificent monastery in Gothic Mudejar style. This building is situated in a landscape where according to legend the Virgin appeared to the shepherd Gil Cordero to reveal to him that he would there find an image of her and to ask him to build a sanctuary or chapel in her honour.

This occurred in the late 13th century, and ever since Guadalupe as the first National Sanctuary (1340) has been an important centre of Marian devotion which has been visited by historical figures such as Isabel the Catholic, Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés, Charles V, San Pedro de Alcántara, Saint Teresa of Jesus, Miguel de Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and Miguel de Unamuno among many others.

Throughout the Holy Year from September to September religious and cultural activities follow one other in this hill town, which has been a member of the Association of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain since 2018. It is located in the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark, which is part of the UNESCO World Geopark Network.

The old tracks which lead to the Monasterio de Las Villuercas, which have been followed by thousands of pilgrims throughout history, are experiencing a revival thanks to the restoration and promotion carried out by the public administrations and various groups. One of these initiatives is the ‘Itinere 1337’ interterritorial project which has worked to create the Networks of Tracks to Guadalupe and to recover 12 historical pilgrim routes including the Royal Road from Madrid including the Titulcia-Aranjuez-Toledo section.

Arriving in Guadalupe is always a joy for both body and soul. The beauty of the monastery, which was declared a National Monument in 1879 and a World Heritage Site in 1993 (the church, the Mudejar and Gothic cloisters, the vestry, the chapel, and the museums inside it should not be missed), is complemented by the charm of a town which arose and grew around it and the landscapes of the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark.

To regain your strength after the route there is nothing better than the excellent gastronomy of the district. The black pudding of Guadalupe, the cheeses of Los Ibores, sausages and Iberian ham, honey, olive oil, breadcrumbs, lamb or venison stew, wines, and traditional confectionery are some of its best attractions.