Nuestra Señora del Monte Sanctuary

Devotion to Our Lady of the Mount has been documented in Cazalla de la Sierra since the early 16th century, although its origins are shrouded in popular tradition and various legends linked to the discovery of the image in the spot where the sanctuary now stands. Historical records show that the devotion already existed in 1505, when it was mentioned in a notarial deed relating to the Hospital of Santa María de los Remedios, also known as ‘del Monte’. This fact makes the Virgen del Monte one of the oldest documented Marian devotions in the region.

The present building was erected between 1742 and 1753, replacing an earlier chapel which was in such a state of disrepair that restoration was not feasible. The new building is entirely in keeping with 18th-century Sevillian Baroque architecture, combining features typical of high-art architecture with elements characteristic of the local mountain folk tradition. Its single nave, the chancel, the shrine and the adjoining rooms, such as the sacristan’s house and the former guesthouse, form a complex designed to meet both the needs of worship and the accommodation of pilgrims and visitors.

One of the most distinctive features of the sanctuary is precisely the ‘camarín’, a private space situated behind the high altar which allows worshippers to approach the image of the Virgin in an intimate and distinct setting. This architectural feature, which was widely developed during the Andalusian Baroque period, was intended to enhance the pilgrim’s devotional experience by fostering a closer relationship with the venerated image.

The sanctuary cannot be understood solely as a religious building. Its location reflects a long tradition of rural Andalusian sanctuaries, built in spots of special symbolic significance and closely linked to the landscape. The historic paths leading to it, the rest areas, the fountains and the open spaces form part of a single cultural ensemble that has, for centuries, shaped the relationship between Cazalla de la Sierra and its surrounding area.

Every summer, the Pilgrimage of the Virgen del Monte transforms this site into the main gathering place for thousands of devotees and visitors. Beyond its religious dimension, this celebration is one of the municipality’s most representative cultural events, keeping alive traditions passed down from generation to generation and strengthening the link between heritage, identity and landscape.

• Brotherhood of Nuestra Señora del Monte. History of the Sanctuary.

• Seville Provincial Tourist Board. Nuestra Señora del Monte Chapel.