Ermita de la Virgen de la Sierra, Gothic sanctuary on Sierra de Cabra mountain peak, Spain
The Ermita de la Virgen de la Sierra is a Gothic chapel built on a mountain ridge high in the Sierra de Cabra range. Inside, it displays a Latin cross layout with a single nave covered by a barrel vault and a dome over the central crossing.
Construction began in the 13th century following the reported appearance of the Virgin Mary on this mountain peak. In the 16th century, significant changes were made to the building that shaped its present form.
The chapel has been a pilgrimage destination for believers across the Andalusian region for centuries. Visitors come to pray and take in the views of the surrounding mountains.
The site is reachable by a mountain path leading up from the village of Cabra, requiring about one and a half to two hours of walking depending on fitness level. The best time to visit is morning or late afternoon when the light is most pleasant and the heat is less intense.
The altar inside was crafted from red and black marble, both quarried in the nearby mountain region. This choice of local materials gives the interior a warm, earthy tone that matches the mountain setting.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
