Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Linares, Religious sanctuary and watchtower in Sierra Morena, Spain.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Linares is a pilgrimage site north of Córdoba combining a chapel with a 9th-century Islamic watchtower. The complex features a cross-shaped design and includes lodgings for pilgrims and a residence for the site caretaker.
King Fernando III founded the sanctuary in 1236, repurposing a Muslim watchtower that had served as a strategic position during his conquest of Córdoba. The military structure transformed into a place of religious devotion following this establishment.
The sanctuary holds religious artworks by notable painters Antonio del Castillo and Juan de Alfaro that reflect the artistic importance given to this place. These paintings and multiple altars shape how visitors experience the interior space.
The sanctuary sits about 6 kilometers north of Córdoba and is accessible from the city. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the path climbs into the Sierra Morena hills where the site is located.
One of three kings from the House of Castile connected their devotion to this place, giving it special significance in the region. This royal association turned the sanctuary into a prestigious pilgrimage destination across generations.
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