Hundreds of local single people on the 17th January go to a shrine in Mijas to throw stones at the genitals of Saint Anthony in order to grant them a partner. This follows a tradition dating back to the 15th century.

At the shrine's entrance every year, on this special day, St.Anthony the Abbot's day, the Saint is taken from his urn so the young ladies can throw stones at him.

The saint is the Patron saint of Animals as he reputedly always looked after animals.

There are writings dating back to 1490 when the shrine was built, that state women used to go to the temple to ask for a husband. When the stone throwing started, nobody knows, or indeed why the stones are thrown at his genitals. The older women say that you must throw three stones that have been gathered from the local area. The belief is so strong in the village that some women swear success. They have even been granted two boyfriends and have to return the following year to ask advice on which one to keep.

The shrine is a major tourist attraction and was built by a group of shipwrecked sailors on ground previously occupied by Muslim and Phoenician temples.

Mijas Info (full page feature here)

Covering 147 square kilometres and sitting 430 metres above sea level, Mijas is part of the Malaga Province. It is 8km from Fuengirola and 30km from Malaga city.

Outstanding sights include
Shrine of the Virgen de la Pena

Church of Immaculada Concepcion

Plaza de Torros (Bull ring)

Museum of Miniatures

Museum of Wine

Famous donkey taxis

Tourist Info

Plaza Virgen de la Pena

Tel (0034) 952 589 034