"The Virgin of the Rock ( Virxe da Rocha in Galician ) is a monument in the Pontevedra municipality of Bayona ( Galicia , Spain ). It is located on the wing of Mount Samson, 100 m above sea level
The idea for its construction came from engineer Gustavo Calvo Julián . The first stone was laid on September 18, 1910, and atop it was a small zinc box containing two gold coins , two silver coins , and two bronze coins , as well as a copy of the minutes of the event. Its construction was slow due to financial difficulties, and it was inaugurated on September 14, 1930.
It is 15 m tall. The stone carving was done by Antonio Palacios , and the face and hands, which are white marble , were made by Ángel García Díaz from Madrid . The crown is surrounded by a halo of tiles and stone that rests on the shoulders . The interior of the monument is hollow and has a spiral staircase that allows one to climb into the boat that the Virgin holds in her right hand . With capacity for five people, it serves as a viewing point towards the Atlantic Ocean .
Next to the monument, the large recreational park "Mercedes de la Escalera" (in honor of Mercedes Ruiz de la Escalera ) was later built, equipped with a Stations of the Cross , restored in 2014, where a popular pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin is held on the last Sunday of August."
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