The current hermitage of the patron saint of Morata, Our Lady of Antiquity, is an oratory built in the 17th century. It was built on top of a pre-existing hermitage dedicated to St. Sebastian, which dates back to the 16th century, as stated in official records from the reign of Philip II.
The inside of the hermitage is simple and secluded, with a single nave overlooked by the patron saint of Morata. On one side of the altarpiece stands the figure of St. Sebastian, to whom the hermitage was originally dedicated.
Throughout the 16th century, with the arrival of the patronage of Morata at the hands of the Marquis of Leganés and Count of Altamira, the worship of St Sebastian became less popular. It is said that one 7 September, a storm rained down over the town, causing great damage. The Count visited the town the next day, together with his son, to see for himself the devastation left by the storm passing through the town. Near the badly damaged Hermitage of St. Sebastian, his son found a figure with a crown, which he thought might be a doll.
It was later found to be a figure of the Virgin Mary, which had been washed away by the downpour. It was then that St. Sebastian was evicted, and a hermitage was rebuilt in its place under the patronage of that Virgin Mary figure, Our Lady of Antiquity. Since then, that day has been the official day of the patron saint. The people of Morata celebrate it every 8 September.
