Virgin of the Pine

Buy a figurine of the Virgen del Pino

At Canarias Shop, you’ll find a variety of statuettes and figurines of the Virgen del Pino.

The beautiful culture of our Canary Islands is steeped in beliefs and traditions that touch the hearts of every generation and are reflected in the celebrations and festivities held with such enthusiasm every year across the archipelago.

Gran Canaria bears witness to this; on 8 September, the patron saint of the Diocese of the Canary Islands is honoured, and her presence is felt across the island of Gran Canaria through a devout celebration dedicated to the Virgin of El Pino.

The Apparition of the Virgen del Pino

There are several versions of the story of the Virgen del Pino told on the island; however, the most widely accepted one centres on the date of the Marian festival, which takes place every 8 September in Gran Canaria.

It is said that the resplendent image of the Virgin Mary was first seen on this date in the pine forest located in what is now the vicinity of the great Basilica of the Virgin of El Pino.

At the top of one of the pine trees, which was later named the ‘Pine of Wonders’, the image of the Virgin appeared resplendent and was seen by several Canarian residents of the time in the year 1481. The pine tree where she was seen stood over 41 metres tall and had a circumference of more than 6 metres.

At the very top of the tree, several people saw her, which confirmed the most widely held theory about her appearance. Beside her was a stone slab bearing footprint-like marks, which disappeared when the tree was felled.

Basilica of Our Lady of the Pine

When considering the festival of Our Lady of the Pine and the tradition surrounding it, we cannot overlook the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pine, which was built on the very site of the former woodland where this majestic tree stood – the very tree where the apparition of Our Lady was witnessed.

The construction of this church is recorded as having taken place in 1760, and in 1916 it was declared a basilica at the request of Bishop Marquina.

It is the first Marian church (dedicated to the Virgin) to be granted the title of basilica in the Canary Islands and, overall, the second church to bear this designation in the entire archipelago.