Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Viewpoint · Baiona, Galicia
Virgem da Rocha
Stone statue of the Virgin Mary, 15 metres high, inaugurated in 1930 on monte Sansón, with an internal staircase that leads to the boat she holds, used as a viewpoint over the bay.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Virgem da Rocha
The Virgem da Rocha is a 15-metre granite statue of the Virgin Mary on monte Sansón, also called San Roque, about 100 metres above the sea, just above Baiona. The idea came from engineer Laureano Salgado, and the first stone was laid on 18 September 1910.
The money came from public collections, with performances of a play about the Virgem da Rocha in towns across Galicia, in Madrid and in Latin America. Because of financial difficulties the work took a long time and was only inaugurated on 14 September 1930. The statue was designed by the architect Antonio Palacios, born in O Porriño, who is the author of well-known buildings in Madrid.
A narrow spiral staircase rises inside the statue to the boat, which serves as a viewpoint with views over the bay of Baiona, the fortress of Monterreal, the beaches and the Cíes islands.
Around it there is a park with paths and a Stations of the Cross.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
30 to 45 minutes.
Best time
In the late afternoon, with the light on the bay. The internal staircase is narrow; on busy days there may be a wait.
How to get there
It's about 1 km from Baiona's centre, along an uphill street; on foot it takes about 15–20 minutes. By car there is parking nearby.
Tip
Climb up to the boat in the statue's hand: that's where you'll get the most expansive view of the bay and Monterreal.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Virgem da Rocha
How tall is the Virgem da Rocha?
15 metres, in granite, on monte Sansón, about 100 metres above the sea.
Can you climb inside the statue?
Yes, a narrow spiral staircase rises inside to the boat the Virgin holds, used as a viewpoint.
Who designed the Virgem da Rocha?
The Galician architect Antonio Palacios. The statue was inaugurated in 1930.