Santuari de la Mare de Déu de Queralt, Baroque church at Serra de Queralt, Spain.
The Santuari de la Mare de Déu de Queralt is a baroque church with Art Nouveau elements built on a rocky ridge at roughly 1,200 meters (about 3,900 feet) above sea level, overlooking the town of Berga. The building is set into the rock face itself, with its facade and bell tower rising directly from the mountain.
The site was first recorded as a place of worship in the 15th century, when a statue of the Virgin was said to have been found on this rocky outcrop. The church as it stands today was built during the 18th century and later gained Art Nouveau additions that changed parts of its interior.
The statue of the Virgin of Queralt, kept inside the church, is the heart of local devotion and draws pilgrims from across the region. Every year, the faithful walk up the mountain path to pay their respects, especially during the festivities honoring the patron of Berga.
The sanctuary is reachable on foot from Berga along several marked trails that vary in steepness and length depending on which route you choose. Solid footwear is a good idea since the paths are uneven and some sections rise sharply.
During the Spanish Civil War, the sanctuary served as a hiding place for artworks and religious objects brought there from the surrounding area to protect them from destruction. Some of those objects never returned to their places of origin and can still be seen inside today.
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