The title was established in Bilbao, at Biscay, Spain where, according to local legend, an 8th-century statue of Our Lady was found the hollow of an oak tree on Mount Artagan.

[2] Votives left by sailors indicate that Our Lady of Begoña is believed to have helped seamen in distress, who then offered thanks for their safe deliverance.

The image, made of linden wood, depicts the Blessed Mother seated in an armless chair wearing a crown, and holding the Child Jesus on her knees, with a red rose in her right hand.

The statue appears to be from the early 14th century, and may have been donated the church by Diego Lopez de Haro, Lord of Biscay, or one of his predecessors.

[3] In the summer of 2012, when many of Spain's politicians attended religious services invoking Mary under various titles, for help with the country's deepening economic crisis, Mayor of Bilbao, Inaki Azkuna, prayed to Our Lady of Begoña.