Puntos de Interés
Culture
Sanctuary of the Fifth Sorrow
The Shrine of Las Angustias, also known as the Sanctuary of the Fifth Sorrow, is one of the most notable churches in Cacabelos and a landmark for pilgrims travelling along the French route of the Camino de Santiago and the Cacabelos–Quilós Nature Trail. Situated on the outskirts of the town, after crossing the Puente Mayor and the Puente de los Molinos, the church stands on the site of a former chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, although the present building was constructed between the 17th and 18th centuries in a distinctly Baroque style.
Its architecture features a spacious and light-filled nave, designed to welcome worshippers and pilgrims. The austere façade contrasts with the artistic splendour of the interior, which houses seven altarpieces of great value. Of particular note is the high altarpiece, created in 1758 by the master craftsmen Miguel Núñez and Juan de Solórzano, one of the finest examples of Baroque art from El Bierzo. The chapel houses the image of the Virgen de la Quinta Angustia, patron of Cacabelos, carved in 1764 and the focus of deep popular devotion.
Among the sanctuary’s most distinctive pieces are a painting of the Virgen de la Leche, a relief depicting the Infant Jesus playing cards with Saint Anthony of Padua – a very rare subject – and a historic organ from the nearby Monastery of Santa María de Carracedo, enriching the church’s artistic heritage.
As well as its historical and artistic value, the sanctuary is closely linked to the cultural and religious life of the comarca of El Bierzo. Every year it hosts the celebrations in honour of the patron and remains a welcoming place for pilgrims passing through El Bierzo on the Camino de Santiago. Its location, in a setting surrounded by vineyards and alongside the historic Camino de Santiago, makes this church a place where heritage, spirituality and history come together, making it one of the must-see attractions in Cacabelos.