Popular traditions: the Virgen de las Angustias

Every September 15, a celebration honoring the Virgen de las Angustias takes place in Granada. In this article, we would love to make you part of this festivity that is so popular among the inhabitants of the city.

It seems that in Granada there has always been an exacerbated devotion to the figure of the Virgin; the city's Cathedral is dedicated to the Incarnation of the Virgin, as well as the sculptures of the altarpiece of the Royal Chapel, the paintings of the Church of San José and the Church of San Juan de los Reyes, both in the Albayzín and, of course, the sculpture inside the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias. This image was sculpted in the 19th century, attributed to Gaspar Becerra.

Such is the devotion to the Virgin that, on February 18, 1885, the Granada City Council asked the Pope to declare the Virgen de las Angustias Patron Saint of the City of Granada. Thus, Pope Pius X grants the Coronation on May 5, 1913, this canonical coronation taking place on September 20, 1913 as patron saint of Granada.

And what do we do to celebrate it? On September 15, a floral offering is brought to the Virgin, decorating the entire basilica, the façade and the interior. On the last Sunday of the month, the Virgin is taken out in procession. Not only that, that weekend is an ideal time to walk around the center because it is full of stalls where you can try the fruits of autumn: chestnuts, acerolas, saffron... and of course, the Torta de la Virgen, stuffed with angel hair (don't worry, if you don't like it they can also be filled with chocolate!).

It is a celebration that we love: there is a lot of animation and atmosphere in the center, and it is an ideal festivity to enjoy taking a walk alone, with your significant other, or with family and friends.