Ermita de la Blanca

Ermita de la Blanca is a Gothic chapel in the village of Hoyuelos de la Sierra, part of the municipality of Salas de los Infantes in the province of Burgos. It stands isolated among fields and pastureland, facing the slopes of the Sierra de la Demanda — today an abandoned ruin, though one that still carries traces of careful medieval craftsmanship.

Where exactly is the chapel located?

The building sits within Hoyuelos de la Sierra, a small village belonging to the municipality of Salas de los Infantes. This is typical high-plateau countryside for Burgos province: open, quiet landscapes, scattered small villages, and isolated religious monuments standing alone in the fields.

Who built it, and when?

The chapel was raised in the 15th century, founded by Pedro Fernández de Barrio, who died in 1504 and served as chaplain to Pedro Fernández de Velasco, a member of one of the most powerful noble houses in Castile at the time. This patronage explains why the building bears the Velasco coat of arms — a mark left by its noble protector.

What survives of the original architecture?

Despite the damage, several distinctive Gothic elements remain recognizable. The entrance takes the form of a splayed (abocinado) doorway, crowned by a pointed archivolt decorated with finely cut moulding. The tympanum displays the Velasco coat of arms together with an inscription in Gothic lettering. A stone sepulchral slab has survived in front of the presbytery. Historical records also note that the interior once held a polychrome wooden image of the Virgin in Gothic style — almost certainly the source of the chapel's name, "de la Blanca" ("of the White Lady").

What condition is the chapel in today?

The building's condition is critical. Its façade leans dangerously and stays upright only thanks to installed props, the roof has collapsed entirely, and only fragments of the walls remain standing. The surrounding ground is overrun with wild vegetation and brambles, and livestock graze freely nearby. Because of this state, the chapel was added in July 2018 to the Lista Roja del Patrimonio, the endangered-heritage register maintained by the Spanish heritage watchdog Hispania Nostra. It remains privately owned and carries no formal legal protection.

Why is it worth seeking out?

This is a site for visitors interested in Castile's religious heritage and the history of the Velasco family, not a conventional tourist attraction with visitor facilities. Ermita de la Blanca shows the raw beauty of Gothic detail in a setting that time and neglect have turned into a striking, if melancholy, ruin. Anyone visiting should exercise caution, since the structure is unstable and getting close to the walls can be risky.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Ermita de la Blanca located? In Hoyuelos de la Sierra, a village belonging to the municipality of Salas de los Infantes, Burgos province.

How old is the chapel? It dates from the 15th century, founded by Pedro Fernández de Barrio, a chaplain linked to the Velasco family.

Can visitors go inside the chapel? The building is a ruin with a collapsed roof and a leaning façade held up by props, so approaching the structure requires caution.

Why was the chapel placed on the Red List of Endangered Heritage? Because since 2018 it has faced serious risk of total collapse, and as a privately owned site it has no formal conservation protection.