The Festival
Discover the fascinating history that surrounds the Pilgrimage of the “Virgen de la Barca de Muxía” Festival, an ancestral celebration rooted in the same land where it was born. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, marking the transformation of the ancient worship of the enigmatic rocks of Punta de Xaviña into a deep Christian devotion.
Studies reveal that this tradition has its roots in pre-Christian times, when rocks facing the Atlantic Ocean were revered for their transcendental powers. The legend of the miraculous arrival of the Virgin in a stone boat to comfort the Apostle James during his evangelizing work was intertwined with these beliefs, Christianizing the place and giving rise to a medieval sanctuary that lasts to this day.
The very name of Muxía, derived from “Mongía” (place of monks) and linked to the religious settlement of Moraime, testifies to this spiritual connection. It was here, on the shores of the imposing Atlantic, where a sanctuary was erected to venerate the Virgin of A Barca, a devotion that was intimately strengthened by the Jacobean tradition and that extends to residents and foreigners.
From this massive pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of A Barca was born the traditional festival in honour of the Saint, whose first written mention is in 1932. In the last three decades, the organization of this vibrant event has been the responsibility of the “Virxe da Barca de Muxía” Cultural Association, founded in 1994. Thanks to their work, the town is transformed into a hotbed of recreational activities, from spectacular orchestras to the impressive fireworks display, one of the largest in Galicia. These celebrations harmonize perfectly with the solemn religious services, the culminating point of which is the great Sunday of the Festival.
With the passage of time, the celebration evolved until in 1989 it was declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest. Every year there are tens of thousands of people who come to Muxía on the second Sunday after September 8 to experience this celebration, which perfectly combines fervour, tradition, culture, gastronomy and leisure, through a complete programme of activities for all ages and preferences.
The “Virgen de la Barca de Muxía” Festival invites you to immerse yourself in a legacy of faith and tradition, to connect with the history of a sacred place and to live an unforgettable experience in a natural setting of incomparable beauty. A magical encounter that has withstood the test of time and continues to attract thousands of devotees and visitors every year.