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BASÍLICA
OF THE VERA CRUZ
The Vera Cruz is kept in the Basilica of the Blessed
and Vera Cruz of Caravaca. Travellers from all over
the world flock to experience the spirituality in an
atmosphere of profound recollection.

The Blessed and Vera Cruz of Caravaca is a cross of
Eastern origin and patriarchal aspect, with a double
crossbar, or four arms, which has been venerated
since the thirteenth century. The relic appeared on
3 May 1231.
According to tradition: "The Caravaca lands were
conquered by the Almohad Sayyid of Valencia,
Abu-Zeid, who was deployed here during this
period.
It is said that amongst the Christian prisoners was a
Cuenca priest named Ginés Pérez Chrinos. The
Sayyid interrogated the prisoner about his
occupation, to which he replied, "I say Mass". The
priest's response piqued the curiosity of the Sayyid,
who ordered everything necessary for Chirinos to
be brought to the main hall of the Alcazar in order
to perform a demonstration of this liturgical act.
Shortly after starting the celebration, Chirinos
stopped and lamented the impossibility of
continuing the ceremony because of the lack of a
crucifix at the altar. It was precisely at that moment
two angels appeared carrying a cross and placed it
on the altar so that the priest could continue the
Mass. Upon seeing this miracle, as the story goes,
the Sayyid and his men converted to Christianity".

Numerous religious orders who have settled in
Caravaca contributed to spreading knowledge of
the Cross through Latin America and Europe,
especially the Jesuits and Franciscans lead, by
their missionary zeal.