Sanctuary of la Virgen de Gracia (Caudete) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sanctuary of la Virgen de Gracia |
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| Native name Spanish: Santuario de la Virgen de Gracia |
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| Location | Caudete, Spain |
| Official name: Santuario de la Virgen de Gracia | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1992 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0007360 |
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The Santuario de la Virgen de la Gracia is a special church in Caudete, Spain. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is located in the province of Albacete, within the region of Castile-La Mancha. This beautiful sanctuary is a very important historical site.
A Look at History
The area where the sanctuary stands has a long history. In the 1200s, it was taken over by James I of Aragon. Later, in 1737, it became part of the Kingdom of Murcia. Finally, in 1833, it joined the province of Albacete, where it is today.
The church itself grew around a special wooden statue of the Virgin Mary. People believed this statue could perform miracles. Sadly, the original statue was lost in 1936. A new, beautiful sculpture was made in 1941 to replace it.
The Legend of the Statue
There's an old legend about how the statue came to be here. It says that St Benedict, a very famous saint, knew his monastery in Italy would be destroyed one day. So, he sent the statue of the Virgin Mary to a small prayer place near an old monastery in Caudete for safekeeping.
During the time when Muslims ruled the area, the statue was hidden underground to protect it. Then, in 1414, a shepherd named Juan Lopez found it! He discovered the hidden statue, and people were very excited.
Building the Sanctuary
After the statue was found, a group of people formed to honor it. From 1741 to 1758, the current church was built. It has a mix of different styles, making it unique. Some parts look fancy and decorative, like the Rococo style. Other parts remind us of older Gothic churches from Spain.
The church has been repaired and updated over the years, especially in the 1900s. Because of its history and beauty, it was officially recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural (a site of cultural interest) in 1992. This means it's a protected national treasure in Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Santuario de la Virgen de Gracia (Caudete) para niños
