Culture

Virgen de las Cuevas hermitage

Very near Caminreal is the Virgen de las Cuevas hermitage.

It is a Baroque style church built in masonry and stonework. All the indications are that the current structure was erected on the site of an older building. Work began in 1715, stated in an inscription on the façade, and continued until well into 1722.

As regards the building’s architectural features, it should be noted that it has a single nave divided into two bays and a large crossing that contrasts with the small polygonal chancel. The chancel is covered by a half-barrel vault with several lunettes, except in the crossing section, which is covered by a dome on pendentives. This dome is visible from the exterior as a striking octagonal dome crowned by a lantern.

From the outside, the hermitage is accessed through an entrance portico with a segmental arch. The main feature of this doorway is a little niche immediately above the entrance arch, which house an image of the saint. Above it, there is a small window and, further up, a hipped roof on which a small belfry with a bell is perched.

Thanks to a study commissioned from José Barragán by the brothers, four fragments of two unpublished Gothic-style panels were discovered in the reredos and are still preserved in the church. It appears they were later reused to make a reredos, which caused various irreparable damage to them. On the positive side, because of this, the panels have been preserved to this day and visitors may discover scenes depicting the flagellation of Christ and the Martyrdom of San Pedro. They are apparently from the 15^th century. The religious complex also contains a series of 18^th and 19^th century pictorial votive offerings.

Caminreal has a tradition of celebrating the day of the Virgen de Septiembre (Virgin of September) on the 8^th of the month. This festival consists of holding a mass in which the Joys of the Virgin are performed and various bids are made to carry the image in the process.

All Souls’ Day is held the day after. On this occasion, a mass is held at the chapel to pay homage to all those who have died during the current year. New brothers are then appointed; their term will last one year.

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