Santuario de la Victoria
Santuario de la Victoria
Santuario de la Victoria
4.5
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
640 reviews
Excellent
463
Very good
140
Average
29
Poor
2
Terrible
6
TBBLACKWELL
31 contributions
Dec 2019
We were brought here by our driver after a trip to Caminito Del Rey. He was very proud of the church. Behind the altar is the original portable altar that was carried from city to city during the Reconquista as each city was captured. Very elaborate and beautiful . Should not be missed if you have a few extra hours.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colleen C
Toronto, Canada30 contributions
Feb 2020
I had read about this church online & was unsure if the crypt was still open. We went to see the church & eventhough the crypt is no longer open to the public, the church itself is quite beautiful. The Holy tower with the statue of Mary makes it a special visit.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mick W
Sheffield, UK89 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
What a stunning surprise!!! This is without a doubt the best 2 Euros that we've ever spent. Do not go into the church but instead go down the right hand side and into the small entrance by the gardens that leads into the crypt. Pay your 2 Euros to the lady in the office, pick up your guide booklet and be prepared to be blown away!
We are not die hard visitors of historic buildings but quite simply, this was the best church we have ever visited. First of all you go into the crypt, after this you then ascend the stairs of redemption into the chapel, then ascend again into a depiction of heaven. To say that we were totally unprepared for what we walked into is an enormous understatement - to the extent that I am ashamed to say that I swore out loud in a church! This was the last time that a sound came out of my mouth for the next 20 minutes however, as for the rest of the time my mouth was wide open with amazement. I have purposely not given much detail as I don't want to spoil things. Please note that the side entrance is only open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Go and see this place, you will not be disappointed!
We are not die hard visitors of historic buildings but quite simply, this was the best church we have ever visited. First of all you go into the crypt, after this you then ascend the stairs of redemption into the chapel, then ascend again into a depiction of heaven. To say that we were totally unprepared for what we walked into is an enormous understatement - to the extent that I am ashamed to say that I swore out loud in a church! This was the last time that a sound came out of my mouth for the next 20 minutes however, as for the rest of the time my mouth was wide open with amazement. I have purposely not given much detail as I don't want to spoil things. Please note that the side entrance is only open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Go and see this place, you will not be disappointed!
Written 13 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BennyMalaga
Malaga, Spain89,732 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
The church is one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Andalusia. It is one of the first churches with a camarin-torre. A camarin is a place behind an altar where the images are dressed and the ornaments kept. A torre is a tower. This tower is filled with plaster decoration painted with gold accents to give an almost rococo effect. One can see the back of the statue of the Virgin here and down into the church.
At the basement of the tower in the little museum is the Pantheon of the Counts of Buenavista. This pantheon is one of the most unique in Spain because it is decorated with white plaster in the form of skeletons over a black background. The skeletons are there to represent death and to make one think about it and prepare for it, which was one of the frequent themes of the Counter Reformation. The museum also has an overcoat for the Virgin donated by the Malagueña Anita Delgado when she was the Maharani of Kapurtala. This overcoat has many jewels attached to it.
The church has the form of a Latin Cross with two chapels. It is topped with a beautiful cupola.
The main chapel has a retable that came from the primitive church. This retable was carved by Luis Ortiz de Vargas in 1620 and polychromed by Luis de Zayas in 1661. Behind and above the main altar can be seen the beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary that is very much venerated by the Malagueños. The altar on the left side of the main altar has a very famous statue of the Virgin Mary, which is called the Dolorasa, and this was done by the famous sculptor Pedro de Mena.
Recently the Pope named this church as a minor basilica, which gives the church more prestige now.
At the basement of the tower in the little museum is the Pantheon of the Counts of Buenavista. This pantheon is one of the most unique in Spain because it is decorated with white plaster in the form of skeletons over a black background. The skeletons are there to represent death and to make one think about it and prepare for it, which was one of the frequent themes of the Counter Reformation. The museum also has an overcoat for the Virgin donated by the Malagueña Anita Delgado when she was the Maharani of Kapurtala. This overcoat has many jewels attached to it.
The church has the form of a Latin Cross with two chapels. It is topped with a beautiful cupola.
The main chapel has a retable that came from the primitive church. This retable was carved by Luis Ortiz de Vargas in 1620 and polychromed by Luis de Zayas in 1661. Behind and above the main altar can be seen the beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary that is very much venerated by the Malagueños. The altar on the left side of the main altar has a very famous statue of the Virgin Mary, which is called the Dolorasa, and this was done by the famous sculptor Pedro de Mena.
Recently the Pope named this church as a minor basilica, which gives the church more prestige now.
Written 20 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roy D
16 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
29th August 2017 Tuesday - A Visit to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Victory, Malaga, Spain.
Founded by the Phoenicians and one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, it has a checker-ed history.
Before the catastrophic fall of Malaga in 1487 king Fernando V settled his military quarters outside the city walls. After the defeat of the Muslims, the location of his camp was consecrated to Our Lady of Victory ("Nuestra Señora de la Victoria") and soon a sanctuary was built to commemorate this day.
The many disastrous wars of the Spanish monarchy, the economic crisis, plagues and famines devastated the country. This dramatic situation shaped the spirit of pessimism that influenced arts and literature during this time, which was paradoxically, the Golden Age for Spanish Baroque culture, and hence this macabre and spiritual crypt, of the counts of Buenavista.
This seems to be Malaga's best kept secret, we were lucky to arrive before the bewitching hour of 1pm when the tour concludes.
After we paid our 2 Euro donation our tour guild informed our party that the tour bus just stops outside without the occupants even knowing about the treasures within. It is a must to take the tour of the crypts and heavenly tower (you can access the tour through the gardens to the right of the church itself). They are certainly the cheapest and the most beautiful cultural experiences you will get in all of Malaga!
The contrast is a real gem to the whole masterpiece,as a total allegory of death and resurrection.
Following the structure of a tower, the count placed his tomb in the lowest level, an oratory in the middle and the sacred chamber for the Virgin on the top, as the church's main altar. It is also a political manifesto as a victory against the Devil and the enemies for the Catholic Church.
The vault is sustained by two massive columns, the symbolic connection between the afterlife and the Paradise. The decoration is extremely complex. The figures in plaster were executed under the direction of Felipe de Unzurrunzaga (1654-1740) He began this work in 1689, under the influence of the macabre art from the funerary chapels in Messina and Palermo, two cities already visited by him and then under Spanish control. A constellation of skulls and bones shines in the black ceiling, while a grotesque Spanish version of the the Dance of Death, occupies the walls.
All the topics on death are encircling the tombs for the count and his wife. We also can see father time and six devils are positioned around the friezes to depict what could happen if the journey to the afterlife goes pear shaped. An absolute must for those who are planning to depart the planet in the future, a kind of road map.
Founded by the Phoenicians and one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, it has a checker-ed history.
Before the catastrophic fall of Malaga in 1487 king Fernando V settled his military quarters outside the city walls. After the defeat of the Muslims, the location of his camp was consecrated to Our Lady of Victory ("Nuestra Señora de la Victoria") and soon a sanctuary was built to commemorate this day.
The many disastrous wars of the Spanish monarchy, the economic crisis, plagues and famines devastated the country. This dramatic situation shaped the spirit of pessimism that influenced arts and literature during this time, which was paradoxically, the Golden Age for Spanish Baroque culture, and hence this macabre and spiritual crypt, of the counts of Buenavista.
This seems to be Malaga's best kept secret, we were lucky to arrive before the bewitching hour of 1pm when the tour concludes.
After we paid our 2 Euro donation our tour guild informed our party that the tour bus just stops outside without the occupants even knowing about the treasures within. It is a must to take the tour of the crypts and heavenly tower (you can access the tour through the gardens to the right of the church itself). They are certainly the cheapest and the most beautiful cultural experiences you will get in all of Malaga!
The contrast is a real gem to the whole masterpiece,as a total allegory of death and resurrection.
Following the structure of a tower, the count placed his tomb in the lowest level, an oratory in the middle and the sacred chamber for the Virgin on the top, as the church's main altar. It is also a political manifesto as a victory against the Devil and the enemies for the Catholic Church.
The vault is sustained by two massive columns, the symbolic connection between the afterlife and the Paradise. The decoration is extremely complex. The figures in plaster were executed under the direction of Felipe de Unzurrunzaga (1654-1740) He began this work in 1689, under the influence of the macabre art from the funerary chapels in Messina and Palermo, two cities already visited by him and then under Spanish control. A constellation of skulls and bones shines in the black ceiling, while a grotesque Spanish version of the the Dance of Death, occupies the walls.
All the topics on death are encircling the tombs for the count and his wife. We also can see father time and six devils are positioned around the friezes to depict what could happen if the journey to the afterlife goes pear shaped. An absolute must for those who are planning to depart the planet in the future, a kind of road map.
Written 29 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mar-ga-rita
Teec Nos Pos, AZ9 contributions
Jan 2021
The age old ritual of not letting outsiders in are still in. It was closed. Good architecture, sure.
Written 18 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pipistrella
Birmingham, UK50 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
It's only a short walk from Plaza de la Merced, and it's definitely worth it. The most interesting, lavishly baroque room is placed behind the altar and you can barely see it from the main nave. It isn't really signposted and there is no information for tourists - I just tried a closed door and asked the church administration staff whether I could see it. And of course I could, they were very nice and showed me the way! So this is mostly to make you aware that it might look closed whereas it's just a Spanish way of life ;)
Written 8 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Damunchkin
Kent, UK39 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Reading a couple of these reviews I think some people didn't realise there is more here than the main church. Don't make the same mistake, the short tour of the unseen bits of the Basilica is a must. Even many locals don't know what's hidden there, despite it's importance in the history of Málaga.
1. Don't think it is too far from the centre. It's a 10-15 minute walk to the end of Victoria Street from Plaza Merced. It's also a stop for the red open-top tourist busses.
2. Check opening times, it's a working church so tours only available 10.00 to 13.00 weekdays except holidays and church occasions.
3. Once you've looked inside the church, there is no sign showing where to go for the tour. The entrance for this is actually through the gardens/playground next to the Church.
4. There is one guy doing private tours as people turn up. If he is not there when you arrive, wait 10 minutes. The tour is short and he'll be back once he's finished the current one.
5. They ask for a €2 donation per person. The amazing crypt and 'Tower to Heaven' take a lot of upkeep, so we gave more.
1. Don't think it is too far from the centre. It's a 10-15 minute walk to the end of Victoria Street from Plaza Merced. It's also a stop for the red open-top tourist busses.
2. Check opening times, it's a working church so tours only available 10.00 to 13.00 weekdays except holidays and church occasions.
3. Once you've looked inside the church, there is no sign showing where to go for the tour. The entrance for this is actually through the gardens/playground next to the Church.
4. There is one guy doing private tours as people turn up. If he is not there when you arrive, wait 10 minutes. The tour is short and he'll be back once he's finished the current one.
5. They ask for a €2 donation per person. The amazing crypt and 'Tower to Heaven' take a lot of upkeep, so we gave more.
Written 25 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarka P
Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia7 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
As we did not have much time, we did not go to the church itself, but went straight for the crypt. At first the office was closed (should not have been), but we kept wandering around and someone noticed us and notified the office lady so she opened it.
It is one of few places where you get a brochure in English where you can read details about the history of the place and its meaning.
The Crypt is very interesting, certainly not a thing you usually see in churches. At first the crypt feels creepy because of all the skulls and skeletons, but after a closer examination you notice that it all looks very new. What I mean is that it would have a better atmosphere if it looked older and more neglected considering it is from the 17th century.
For this one ticket you will also go high up into the church where there is one room which serves as a museum.
It is one of few places where you get a brochure in English where you can read details about the history of the place and its meaning.
The Crypt is very interesting, certainly not a thing you usually see in churches. At first the crypt feels creepy because of all the skulls and skeletons, but after a closer examination you notice that it all looks very new. What I mean is that it would have a better atmosphere if it looked older and more neglected considering it is from the 17th century.
For this one ticket you will also go high up into the church where there is one room which serves as a museum.
Written 1 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pepsimaxrock
Rowlands Gill, UK194 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
Second visit. Didn’t do the tour this time. Just marvelled at the spectacle of Santa Maria and the sumptuousness of the sanctuary. Yet peaceful.
Do visit it’s marvellous
Do visit it’s marvellous
Written 11 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola!! alguien sabe el horario? en la web veo de 10h. a 12:30h.
pero fui y no estaba abierto....
Written 6 December 2018
Santuario de la Victoria
Malaga, Spain
El Santuario está abierto TODOS los días de 8:30 a 13:00 y de 17:00 a 20:15.
Written 26 October 2019
Please post an update on the restoration we are hearing about...what will be closed and when? We will be visiting on December 11, 2018.
Written 5 November 2018
From the conversation we had with Michael the guide it sounded pretty imminent so it may unfortunately be closed when you are there in December.
Written 13 November 2018
We are visiting later this month. I hear it will be closed for refurbishments soon. Does anyone know the refurbishment dates?
Written 4 August 2018
I think they are only closing part of the tower, the magnificent crypt and the museum will still be open. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 5 August 2018
Hi
Visiting Malaga for a day tomorrow. Can’t find any information on prices anywhere for basilica Santa Maria can anyone advise the latest prices as of June 2018?
Thanks
BTW if anyone tells me to ‘check another forum’ I will scream
Written 11 June 2018
Do the guides speak English?
Written 23 April 2018
Yes. The guides speak excellent english and i can recommend a visit here.
Written 12 May 2018
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