The story behind the image of Saint Anne with 3 heads in Navarra (Spain)

In the year 1530, Saint Anne became the patron saint of the city of Tudela (Navarra, Spain), where this image has been venerated for centuries. from whose chest the heads of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus appear.

In the days leading up to the feast of Santa Ana, whose festival is celebrated every July 26, the city of Tudela dresses up to honor its patron saint, the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus.

In the main chapel of the city’s imposing cathedral, which is called Santa María la Mayor, the image of this saint that represents 3 generations is kept.

During the novena, celebrated in the second half of July before its feast day on the 26th, the image presides over the main altar of the cathedral.

It is a Gothic sculpture from the 13th century covered with a large cloak that is changed following the liturgical calendar and represents Saint Anne with a youthful appearance.

One of those occasions is this July 24, where from early in the morning the older waitresses dress the image with a large mantle embroidered in gold and They place a crown on each of the heads.

These women are in charge by family tradition of caring for the image and making changes to the clothing, dresses and mantles of the patron saint of Tudela.

It should be noted that artistic representations of Saint Anne are usually always accompanied by her daughter María and her baby Jesus.

On Saint Anne’s Day, the people of Tudela take this image out in procession throughout the city, escorted by Saint Joaquín, her husband and grandfather of Jesus, as a sign of this deep-rooted tradition and veneration of the saint who gave birth to the Mother of God.