Built on the ruins of a 15th century sanctuary
The first references to the Madre de Dios Hermitage date back to 1495, the year in which Pedro Sánchez Romo donated a palace located next to it to the convent of La Trinidad. The temple was rebuilt between 1738 and 1787, taking a long time in the execution of the works due to the absence of donations.
The hermitage was equipped with a guesthouse, whose work would continue at least until 1844. With the Ecclesiastical Confiscation, its numerous assets were alienated, remaining open to worship thanks to the devotion of the people of Úbeda.
In 1928 its restoration is requested due to the poor state of conservation. In 1944 its conversion into a house for spiritual exercises is planned, a work that was abandoned in an advanced state of execution.
From sanctuary and inn to its abandonment and demolition
LOOTED AND EVICTED OF ITS ASSETS, THE BUILDING CAME TO BE OCCUPIED BY UPROOTED FAMILIES THAT WERE HEATED USING THE BUILDING WOODS.
Dynamited by the parish priest.
As a culmination of this abandonment, in 1977 the parish priest Manuel Medina dynamited the hermitage to use its stones in the enlargement of what is known as the hermitage of the Paje, leaving the church without a roof and only some remains of the walls of his hostel remain standing..
Adaptation project
The construction, adaptation and restoration works of the Ermita Madre de Dios hotel complex have taken place in record time, the first stone was laid on March 29, 2019 and on July 23, 2020 it opened.
