Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia, El Cabaco, Marian sanctuary in Sierra de Francia, Spain
The sanctuary sits atop Peña de Francia mountain at roughly 1723 meters, housing a church that blends Gothic design with a neoclassical exterior and bell tower. The complex includes convent buildings arranged around the church, creating a unified religious center on the ridge.
Dominican friars established the sanctuary in 1436, transforming the mountain into a major religious destination for the surrounding region. The remote hilltop location and centuries of monastic presence built its reputation as a pilgrimage site.
The site draws pilgrims from the surrounding region who come to pray and celebrate religious occasions throughout the year. The Dominican friars living here have maintained centuries-old practices that shape daily life on the mountain.
The mountain road becomes blocked by snow during winter, making late spring through early autumn the ideal visiting window. Plan for steep terrain and bring weather-appropriate clothing, as conditions can change quickly at this elevation.
A sixteenth-century coat-of-arms stone in the plaza displays heraldry of King Juan II and the Dominican Order beneath an arcade. This carved stone is a rare surviving example of royal and religious authority merged in a single monument.
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