Fuensanta: Sanctuary, Pilgrimage Tradition and Starry Sky

The Santuario de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios was built in three phases from the late 16th to the early 18th century. Its church has a single nave, was designed in the Renaissance style and was completed in 1764.

Culture and History

The Claustro de Fuensanta forms a square with sides measuring 33 metres. Each side has eight semicircular arches on the lower level and eight bays with straight entablature on the upper level.

The Camarín de La Virgen houses 18th-century Talavera ceramic tiles as well as painted medallions depicting the Annunciation and the apparition of the Virgen de La Fuensanta. The Capilla de la Fuente was restored by Trinitarian monks and inaugurated in 1797 with a small Baroque altarpiece.

The Arco Árabe is a 12th-century monument of cultural interest on Calle Huertas and was restored in 2004. The Museo Municipal Etnológico Agrícola is located in a former pilgrims’ hospice belonging to the monastery and displays a traditional early-20th-century house with agricultural and household implements.

The Museo Etnológico Parroquial is located on the upper level of the monastery cloister. It displays historical household implements as well as equipment used in agriculture and livestock farming, formerly used by the inhabitants of Fuensanta. The Teatro Cervantes is located on the lower level of the monastery cloister and is currently used for cultural, religious and traditional popular events.

Pilgrimage Tradition

During the outbound and return processions of the Romería de La Virgen, the Arco del Término is the handover point for the statue of the Virgin between the residents of Fuensanta and La Roda. The Cruz del Humilladero was the site of the pilgrims’ first prayer when they arrived at the sanctuary. The return procession of the Romería Virgen de los Remedios to the Santuario de Fuensanta takes place three weeks after the outbound procession.

Landscape and Leisure

The Río Júcar is about two kilometres from Fuensanta. The Piscina Municipal Fuensanta is located on the outskirts of the town, about five minutes from the town centre, in a natural setting, and has two pools, including a children’s pool.

In the La Manchega landscape area, a hydroelectric power station that is still in use has stood since 1955 on the ruins of a paper mill dating from the mid-19th century. The chimney of the former factory has been preserved.

Festivals and Night Sky

The Fiestas de San Gregorio include, on the Sunday after Mass, a procession to the Cruz de San Gregorio, the blessing of the fields, music by a charanga band and the consumption of the traditional pastry known as Rollo de San Gregorio.

The Semana Cultural has been held in summer since 1991 to make visitors’ stays in Fuensanta more enjoyable. There is a Starlight viewing point at the Cruz de San Gregorio, from which constellations, planets and the Milky Way can be clearly observed on clear nights with little light pollution.

The Ermita de San Antón was built in 1913 and is associated with the traditional Almoneda formerly held there, an auction of animals, typical foods and household goods.

Getting Around

The La Roda–Montalvos route passes through the municipality of Fuensanta; one of its points of interest is the Puente de San Alejandro, also known as “Quitapellejos”. For planning purposes, the places and dates mentioned can be organised by culture, procession, landscape, swimming, night sky or route.

When comparing holiday apartments in Fuensanta, you can check travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages. The different focuses provide various options for personal travel planning.

More Destinations

You may also be interested in Bonete, Casa De Las Monjas, Tobarra, Las Casicas, Ossa De Montiel, Higueruela, Carcelén and Valdeganga.

For the higher-level travel overview: Albacete.