Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Sanctuaryof Nuestra Señora del Acebo
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holly Tree (Nuestra Señora de L'Acebu in Asturian language), stands as a sacred haven of profound significance for the vaqueiros de alzada, a distinctive social group inhabiting the elevated terrains of the Cantabrian Mountains, particularly in the southwest of Asturias. This sanctuary is not only a religious center for the vaqueiros, but for the entire region, owing to the longstanding tradition and veneration bestowed upon Our Lady of the Holly Tree. Though in proximity to the Nature Trail, reaching the sanctuary requires a considerable detour, leading to its perch atop the Sierra del Acebo mountain range at about 1200 m above sea level.
The veneration of Our Lady of the Holly Tree by the vaqueiros of Alzada dates back to 8 September 1575, marking the occurrence of the first miracle attributed to Our Lady. Legend recounts the tale of María de Noceda, who, lame from birth, experienced a sudden alleviation of pain in her afflicted leg after attending mass on the hill where an ancient hermitage stood. This event culminated in a swift recovery of her motor functions, and María de Noceda became known as María Santos, dedicating her life to the service of the sanctuary. Over the following years, reports of miracles multiplied as devotees regained the use of paralysed or dysfunctional limbs and organs following pilgrimages to the sanctuary. Jesuit Father Luis Alfonso de Carvallo meticulously documented these testimonials, prompting the decision to build a new sanctuary at the end of the 16th century. Each year, on the anniversary of this date, a pilgrimage to the hermitage, known as the Day of Promises, draws many people from across the region who come to fulfill vows and partake in traditional picnics.
In the temple there is a 13th-century Romanesque carving of the Virgen del Acebo (Our Lady of the Holly Tree), albeit modified in the 17th century to attire her and later to replace the Child in her arms in 1900. The interior showcases exceptional Mannerist altarpieces, with the main Baroque altarpiece crafted by Manuel Ron between 1687 and 1691 and gilded by Juan Menéndez Acellana in 1709, both artisans hailing from Cangas de Narcea. Constructed in 1590, the current sanctuary features a primary building with a single nave, a Latin cross, and several side chapels. A tower at the forefront, with an open portico comprising three expansive arches, and a sacristy attached to the southeast corner, completes the architectural ensemble. This sanctuary stands as a unique exemple of religious architecture in the region, holding profound historical and cultural significance.