Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Ayala

The Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Ayala is a late Romanesque hermitage near Alegría/Dulantzi in Álava province, featuring a simple but sturdy stone structure. Its interior contains a vaulted nave divided into three sections, with a large semicircular apse lit by three arched windows.

This sanctuary began as a parish church for the medieval village of Ayala, but was abandoned when residents relocated to Alegría/Dulantzi in the 14th century. The migration transformed it into an isolated place of worship standing alone in the countryside.

The red painted crosses inside mark where a bishop blessed this place in medieval times, and they remain visible on the walls today. These marks reflect how important religious ceremonies were to the community that once gathered here.

This place sits about one kilometer from Alegría/Dulantzi along the Camino de Santiago route, making it easy to visit during a pilgrimage walk. The surrounding land is open and uneven, so wear sturdy shoes when exploring the archaeological remains scattered around the building.

This place holds the only complete set of twelve medieval consecration crosses still visible in Álava province, a rare survival for this type of religious marking. Such intact collections are found at very few locations across Europe.