Ermita de la Virgen de Altagracia

Ermita de la Virgen de Altagracia is a medieval hermitage standing in the municipality of Garrovillas de Alconétar, in the province of Cáceres, in the Extremadura region of Spain. The sanctuary sits apart from town, surrounded by the open pastureland of the Villoluengo meadow, roughly 10 km south of Garrovillas itself, close to the boundary with the neighbouring municipality of Casar de Cáceres. It is a Marian shrine and the destination of an annual pilgrimage held by the local community.

How do you get there?

The easiest approach is by car from Garrovillas de Alconétar, following the local road that heads south into the meadowland — the route covers about 10 km through classic Extremaduran dehesa scenery, open grazing land dotted with cork and holm oaks. There is little tourist infrastructure around the site, so arriving with your own transport is the practical choice. Part of the route also appears on local hiking and cycling trails for those who prefer to cover some of the distance on foot or by bike.

What will you see inside?

The building dates back to the 15th century, and its oldest sections show clear Gothic character — a stone structure covered by ribbed vaulting, entered through a Gothic portal crowned with a rose window. Renaissance details were added later, making the hermitage an interesting example of the layering of architectural styles typical of rural sanctuaries in Extremadura. Inside, the main altar holds the venerated image of the Virgen de Altagracia, patroness of Garrovillas. On the Gospel side stands a second altar with a carving of the Virgen de la Leche (Nursing Madonna), a late Gothic work dated to the 16th century.

Where does the legend of the Virgen de Altagracia come from?

According to medieval tradition, a young shepherdess claimed to have seen the figure of a woman on a rocky outcrop in the Villoluengo meadow. After she repeated her account several times, her parents dug beneath the rock — and it was there that the image now venerated as Nuestra Señora de la Alta Gracia was found. While the oldest surviving architectural elements date only to the 15th century, researchers point to signs of earlier ritual use of the site, and some even propose that the sanctuary has pre-Christian roots, linked to a sacred stone said to lie beneath the statue's pedestal — suggesting the spot may once have been dedicated to a Roman deity before its Christianisation.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, when the surrounding dehesa looks its most striking and the heat doesn't get in the way of the trip. Afternoons are a good time to plan around — except on Wednesdays, when the hermitage's caretaker is usually present and happy to guide visitors through the building's history. The key date on the calendar is 8 September, the patronal feast day, when the hermitage hosts its annual romería — a folk pilgrimage of the people of Garrovillas that coincides with Extremadura Day. Every five years, in years that are multiples of five, the celebration grows considerably larger, as the image of the Virgen de Altagracia is solemnly carried down into town.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the hermitage located? It stands about 10 km south of Garrovillas de Alconétar, in the province of Cáceres, near the border with the municipality of Casar de Cáceres.

How old is the building? Its oldest parts date to the 15th century and are Gothic in style, with Renaissance details added at a later stage.

Can you visit outside the feast day, or only during the pilgrimage? The site can be visited year-round, though afternoons (except Wednesdays) are the best time to find the caretaker on hand for a guided visit. The most festive moment is 8 September, the day of the romería.

What else is inside besides the main statue? On the Gospel side there is a second altar holding a late Gothic 16th-century carving of the Virgen de la Leche.