The first settlers of these parts of Bellaescusa were anchorites who took refuge in this wonderful landscape on the River Tajuña. In this beautiful spot, we find the Hermitage of Our Lady of Bellaescusa Coronada, patron saint of Orusco. It was built by the people of Orusco in the 13th century. Next to the building grows a fig tree with three types of leaves: vine, fig and mulberry, or so the legend goes. Next to the hermitage there is a shelter, restored from the ruins of an old cloistered convent built by the first religious group to live in this place. The patron saint celebrations for Our Lady of Bellaescusa take place at the end of August into early September.
Let us now tell you the legend of the fig tree with three types of leaf and how it relates to headaches.
Since time immemorial, hares, rabbits and partridges have populated this region, making it an ideal place for hunters. The story here goes back to around the 13th century, when two hunters shot at the same partridge at the same time, the prelude to a legend.
At the end of the 17th century, the chaplain of the Hermitage of Bellaescusa canonised this legend. He recalled that in a rugged, mountainous spot near the River Tajuña, two knights of the Order of Santiago fell into a heated dispute that almost ended in tragedy. Under a fig tree, on the verge of violence, they were stunned by the appearance of the Virgin Mary, turning their anger into everlasting peace. In the face of the miracle, both knights called out ‘bella escusa para no reñir’ (a beautiful excuse not to quarrel), which inspired the name of the hermitage and of the Virgin Mary to which it is devoted.
The story deepens with the mystery of a fig tree that still stands today, and which supposedly also produced vine leaves and mulberry leaves. Modern science has disproven this mistaken belief by revealing that its leaves, although in different shapes, are not the result of grafting. Nevertheless, tradition has it that the figs of this tree, which are eternally unripe, have healing properties against headaches.
The Hermitage can be reached via a pleasant walk of about 5 km (there and back). Although it is not a difficult walk, we recommend taking water and sun protection to do this route, which takes just over half an hour on foot (one way).
Las Pilas Viewpoint
Another lovely walk that can be started from this point is the Las Pilas Viewpoint route. This is a prime spot for viewing the entire Tajuña Valley and admiring the rich nature surrounding it. Located in a spot known as ‘Altillo del Guarda’, it was a former guard post for keeping watch of the countryside and farmland.
It is around 2 km from here (one way) along a lovely path that is not difficult at all, but you should still take water and su
