The Hermitage of Our Lady of La Humosa is found near the River Henares, the place where legend claims the Virgin Mary appeared to some shepherds, revealing where her figure was.
It is a Baroque building made of brick and stone blocks. It features a single nave with a barrel vault and choir loft at the foot, and a square main chapel with a dome on pendentives topped by a lantern. The sacristy is attached to the chancel. It has some beautiful paintings hanging at the front of the main chapel, featuring an altarpiece, which date back to the start of the 18th century. One of them is a painted canvas of the Child Saints Justus and Pastor.
On the night of the last Sunday in August, the pilgrimage sets off from here to the town, arriving at the Parish Church of St. Peter the Apostle. At all times, the pilgrimage is guarded by the bonfires that pilgrims light to pay tribute to her and open the way for her. The smoke and fire that emanate from the ‘ascent’ from the sanctuary, which takes place at night amidst the bonfires, honour the name of the Virgin Mary (humosa means ‘smoke’). The pilgrimage, meanwhile, is the main event of the patron saint feasts in honour of Our Lady of La Humosa. This marks the beginning of the religious ceremonies, which last until 8 September, the day of Our Lady of La Humosa.
