Hermitage of San Sebastian or Hermitage of the Saint

At the end of the XV century and beginning of the XVI century, it was common to build a hermitage or church to honour some saints and, according to tradition, this protected people from plagues and epidemics that were common in those times. In addition, these hermitages offer religious service in the neighbourhood where they were located.

This is the case of the Hermitage of San Sebastian or most commonly known Hermitage of the Saint (Hermita del Santo). Built at the beginning of the XVI century, oral traditions say that this hermitage was attached to the school of Compañia de Jesus, being this hermitage on charge of giving the religious service.

This hermitage, located in an area populated by humble hardworking people, used basic materials such as limestone mortar – from the ancient tradition of Arabic mud walls- and wood roof. It has a single nave with rectangular floor and a gabled wood-framed roof that rests on three pointed diaphragm arches. It also has a presbytery and upper choir stalls remaining the church divided into three planes. Inside we can find the exceptional late-Gothic wall paintings altarpiece, making an exceptional unique example in the Region of Murcia of a great artistic work thanks to its proportions and shape.

Nowadays the Town Council owns this building where the local band “Caravaca de la Cruz” has its headquarters.

Geographical coordinates: Latitude 38.106481 Length -1.861775