Santuari de la Mare de Déu de Gràcia, Marian shrine in La Fresneda, Spain
The Santuari de la Mare de Déu de Gràcia is a ruined 18th-century complex of a church and a four-storey hostelry, partly cut into the rock. The church walls show a three-nave plan with a straight chancel and a rear camarín for the Virgin. Its masonry façade has two levels: Ionic below, Corinthian above, linked by large volutes and topped by a triangular pediment.
The shrine was established in the 18th century following the discovery of a statue of the Virgin Mary in a cave at this location by a shepherdess from Valljunquera. This finding prompted the construction of the sanctuary and transformed it into an important pilgrimage destination.
The Virgin of Grace is honoured with a romería on the first weekend of May, when the whole village walks the roughly 5 km from La Fresneda to the sanctuary. Costaleros carry the image on their shoulders along the route, accompanied by the faithful, and a mass is held on arrival. The image itself was found in a cave by a shepherdess from Valljunquera.
The site is partially in ruins, but the foundation walls and main structure remain visible, giving a clear sense of the original layout. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground and wear appropriate footwear to safely explore the spaces.
The church facade is the only part built in dressed stone, arranged in two levels: the lower with three sections in Ionic order, the upper with one section in Corinthian order, joined by large volutes and topped by a triangular pediment. The rest of the church was masonry.
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