Hermitage of Our Lady of the Carbayo

The Hermitage of Our Lady of the Carbayo is a Baroque sanctuary sitting on a hilltop in Ciaña with a curved facade and a three-tiered bell tower element. Inside, a three-part Baroque altarpiece from 1730 decorates the space, with painted ceiling work visible through the altarpiece framing.

The sanctuary was built in the 17th century, replacing an earlier Romanesque temple on the same site. The structure sustained damage during the Independence War when French forces attacked and removed decorative elements.

The sanctuary centers on devotion to the Virgin del Carbayo, a patroness figure rooted in local tradition and prayer. Visitors encounter religious offerings and altars that show how residents have maintained this spiritual focus across centuries.

The sanctuary features a side portico common in Asturian churches, making entry straightforward for visitors. Since the building sits on a hillside, expect some walking on uneven ground and wear comfortable shoes.

Next to the church stands the House of Novenas, a 17th-century building that once housed pilgrims visiting the sanctuary. The structure later became a school, showing how the site evolved beyond just religious purposes.