The sanctuary of Mare de Deu de la Roca (Our Lady of the Rock) is perched on a spectacular cliff formed by red rocks. A site predating the present hermitage has been documented since 1230.  The present sanctuary was founded in 1299 to house a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that was venerated at this site. At first there was a fortified castle, of whose buildings several ruins remain, such as the surrounding defense wall that can be seen on the left side of the entrance. The dates of 1655 and 1786 inscribed on the arch of the entrance gate confirm that the sanctuary was repeatedly enlarged due to its growing popularity as a pilgrimage site. In subsequent times the hermitage suffered several devastating events. In 1811 it was sacked and burned by Napoleonic troops. It was then rebuilt, only to be destroyed again during the Spanish Civil War, when it was sacked again. After the war, the people of Mont-roig began to rebuild their hermitage and reproduced the ancient statue of the Virgin. But even this new statue was not meant to last: It was stolen in 1979. Again a new one was built in 1980, this is the one that is actually worshiped in the church today.