Santuario de la Virgen de Jaraba

Perched on the towering walls of the Hoz Seca Canyon (also known as the Barranco de la Hoz Seca) sits a medieval shrine to the Virgin Mary, the Santuario de la Virgen de Jaraba. According to legend, a shepherd had a vision of the Virgin here in the 12th century. But the canyon had drawn pilgrims long before then, and records from the 6th century mention hermits living in the area.

Much of what can be seen today was originally constructed between the 13th and 18th centuries. The heart of the complex is a Baroque chapel, which houses a revered idol of the Virgen de Jaraba. Pilgrims from around the world come to see the idol in this remote corner of Spain. The chapel also contains an original altar and an assortment of altarpieces donated by nearby towns.

Next to the chapel are quarters where a chaplain and caretaker once lived. Though today, no one lives at the site full-time.

Beyond its religious significance, the sanctuary is surrounded by stunning natural scenery. The Hoz Seca Canyon was carved over thousands of years by the Rio Seca, a river that has long since dried up. What remains is a landscape full of dramatic rock formations and winding trails for hikers of all experience levels. The sanctuary itself is tucked into a gentle curve of the canyon wall, blending so seamlessly with the rugged surroundings that it almost feels like it grew out of the rock itself.