There are those who say that, in Elche, God is a close relative of the Maredéu (Mother of God). This assertion, although undoubtedly an exaggeration, is very revealing regarding the deep devotion of the people of Elche to the Virgin of the Assumption. The Museum of the Virgin is located next to the chapel of Communion in the Basilica of Santa Maria, through whose former door it is accessed.

By means of pieces of sculpture, paintings, and a rich collection of tapestries, the story of the history of the image of the patron of the city is related, devotion to which was introduced in the XIII century by King Jaime I the Conqueror.

Arrival by Sea

A beautiful legend recounts the arrival, on 29 December 1370, on one of the beaches of Elche, the image of the Maredéu and consueta, or score, for the Misteri d’Elx, which was to be performed in her honour, contained in an ark.

The zeal of the people of Elche has led to many valuable donations being made over the centuries : mantles, costumes, crowns, jewellery, movable and static furnishings, which make up the rich heritage of the Virgin, and which it is now possible to see on show.

The central point of the Museum of the Virgin is devoted to the Dormancy of Maria, evoked by the Festa, or Mystery Play of Elche, with the great ebony and silver XVII century bed, a magnificent example of Portuguese making, where the image of the patron saint lies between 15 and 22 August, in its novenary.

First Reference to the Mystery Play

Among the key artefacts the blue and purple robes, brought from Rome in 1795, must be highlighted as well as the mantle of Las Conchas, designed by the archivist and historian Pedro Ibarra in 1917 and the robe of Bishop José Tormo (1784), as well as the imperial crown and a chalice, both works of the goldsmith Fernando Madrid (XVIII century).

Three XVI century works are the oldest of museum´s artefacts: the head of the processional bed of the Virgin, which is carried on the shoulders of Jews and apostles during the funeral procession, on 15 August and 1 November (in even-numbered years), a white-gold monstrance coffer and the testament of Isabel Caro, which contains the oldest reference to the Mystery and a facsimile of the scroll of 1523 with the testamentary clauses of this lady, where donations for a “great festival” for Santa María on the day of Our Lady of the Assumption are referred to.