Basilica of Macarena’s precious possession is Virgen de la Esperanza de Macarena de Sevilla. The wooden image of the Virgin Mary sculpted by Pedro Roldán displays teardrops streaming down her stained face representing sorrow over Christ’s crucifixion. The 17th century, religious icon wears five emerald brooches gifted by José Gómez Ortega, a famous Spanish matador. The Virgin of Hope of Macarena is the patroness of bullfighters. This Marian image received a canonical coronation in 1964 authorized by Pope John XXIII. The Virgin of Hope is surrounded by a golden altar created by Rafel Fernández del Torro.
