The series of venerated rocks that surround the “Virgen de la Barca” Sanctuary includes the Head Rock, a place that in recent years has acquired a special meaning for devotees and curious visitors. Its distinctive feature is a natural hollow, perfectly moulded to accommodate the human head.
This unique attribute has made the Head Rock a new focus of worship, where faith seeks relief for all kinds of ailments related to this part of the body, even extending to neurological diseases. Tradition, passed down by word of mouth, attributes healing and comforting properties to this direct contact with stone.
Although it is not part of the original legend of the Virgin’s boat, the Head Rock has been integrated into the landscape of devotion in Muxía, especially during the “Virgen de la Barca” Festival. Pilgrims approach with hope, seeking in contact with the rock a remedy for their ailments and relief for their ailments. The act of inserting the head into its hollow becomes a silent prayer, a gesture of surrender and trust in the healing properties attributed to it.
The Head Rock is a fascinating example of how popular faith can find new paths and give meaning to natural elements within a sacred space. Its peculiar shape and the healing tradition that surrounds it make it a unique point of interest when visiting the Sanctuary of A Barca.
