Torreciudad

Torreciudad is the name of a Marian shrine in Aragon, Spain, built by Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, and consecrated on July 7, 1975, under the title of Our Lady of Torreciudad. Devotion to Mary under the title of Virgin of Torreciudad is said to date back to the eleventh century. The Torreciudad Trust is responsible for the upkeep of the shrine and its financial needs. The shrine was designed by architect Heliodoro Dols who supervised the construction with the assistance of the architects Santiago Sols and Ramon Mondejar. The main church contains several outstanding features in the alabaster altarpiece by Juan Mayné, and the Blessed Sacrament chapel with its bronze figure of the crucified Christ, by Pasquale Sciancalepore. The crypt contains a chapel dedicated to the Holy Family, as well as three confessional chapels respectively dedicated to Mary under the titles of Virgin of Loreto, Virgin of the Pillar and Virgin of Guadalupe. The covered archways on the esplanade contain ceramic depictions by José Alzuet of the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary. An old hermitage on the grounds originally housed the original statue of Our Lady of Torreciudad before it was transferred to the new church. Many pilgrims visit northern Aragon to pray at the shrine. Spiritual activities at the Shrine are entrusted to the Opus Dei Prelature. The shrine is open every day of the year.