Santuario de la Virgen del Castillo, Yecla
The sanctuary of the Virgen de la Purísima offers views out over the town of Yecla
The Santuario de la Virgen del Castillo is a relatively small church which was built as a sanctuary for the figure of the Virgin Mary known as “La Purísima” in reference to the Immaculate Conception, and stands on the mountain behind Yecla alongside the remains of the Moorish castle.
Historical research has concluded that a Christian place of worship stood on this spot as long ago as the time of Moorish rule in the Region of Murcia (8th to 13th centuries), and some scholars even believe that the religious nature of the site goes back to the last years of Roman occupation and the Visigoths who followed them. Originally the church was dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación and it was the parish church of Yecla until 1540, when it was superseded by the Iglesia de La Asunción (or “Iglesia Vieja”).
The Sanctuary of the Purísima as we see it today was built in the late 19th century, although it has since been remodeled. It includes a new-baroque altar screen by the Lorente brothers (dated 1977) and an oval-shaped “camarín” (a small chapel set above and behind the main altar).
For most of the year the figure of Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción, created by sculptor Miguel Torregrosa in 1941, is in the centre of this small chapel, standing atop a base supplied by Francisco Teruel in 1952. This figure replaced the one which was destroyed during the Civil War (1936-39), and is taken down to the Basílica accompanied by a “romería” every 7th December, prior to the celebrations in Yecla of the Fiesta de “la Purísima” the following day. La Purísima, also known locally as the Virgen del Castillo, then returns to the sanctuary around ten days later.
In the Capilla del Santísimo Cristo del Sepulcro stands the figure of the patron of Yecla, again created by Miguel Torregrosa, and the wall paintings date from 1982.
Outside, the façade is dominated by the two square towers on either side of the entrance, which are topped with belfries and sculptures of the Corazón de María and the Corazón de Jesús (Heart of Mary and Heart of Jesus).
Visiting hours
The sanctuary is open to members of the public from Tuesday to Sunday 9.00 to 13.00 and in the afternoon from 16.00 to 18.00 in winter and from 17.00 to 20.00 in summer.
Mass is held on Saturdays at 16.00 in winter and at 17.00 in summer, and an hour later on Sundays.
During May there are also services at 7.30 in the morning (8.30 on Sundays).
A visit to the Santuario de la Purísima is an attractive option during a trip to Yecla, as there are spectacular panoramic views from the path up to the sanctuary out over Yecla. A popular stopping-off point is the Mirador de la Torre, or Mirador Paso Bandera, which provides both a welcome breather for those on foot and some of the best views of the town!
If visiting Yecla don’t forget to make sure one of your first ports of call is the tourist office (Plaza Mayor, 1, telephone 968 754104, email turismo@yecla.es).
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Yecla Today.
