SL - A 147 Sendero Camino de la Ermita, Coin (Málaga)

20 03 2023

SL-A 147 Camino de la Ermita

This sendero starts at Puerto Norte opposite the main roundabout, next to the Periurban Park. There is plenty of parking at the feria ground and the SEPE (social security) car park.

Take the Cuesta de San Antón hill and continue along the Camino del Molino. This track passes olive groves and pastures until you reach the Camino de los Alberos, from where you will be able to see the hermitage in the distance. Continue ignoring any left or right turnoffs, until you reach the Camino de Cuesta Blanquilla. Shortly after, to the right, make your way down to the river Pereilas. Cross the stone bridge next to an old mill and walk up to La Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta, where the route ends.

The Hermitage de la Fuensanta is a Mozarabic style cave church. Its date of construction is unknown, although some documents indicate the existence of a person who took care of the primitive hermitage around the year 1529. The temple underwent several alterations over the centuries.
Worthy of being highlighted is its sacristy, the place where the spring is located, as well as the cave where the image of the Virgin was found. Likewise, the decoration of the main open chapel, dating back to 1729, stands out. Its author was José de Medina, who was considered the master of Mena´s later artists.
This temple is the abode of Virgen de la Fuensanta during the month of May, being a significant point of attraction for many visitors all year long because of the magical environment where it is located. We can enjoy old waterwheels, the river Pereilas, the old bridge, the fountain, the Roman road or the site situate in “Llano de la Virgen” which, as well as the hermitage itself, has been declared a Heritage of Cultural Interest.
Inside the temple, the venerated image of Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta (Patron Saint of the town) stands out. Around the years 1492-1520, the image of the Virgin of La Fuensanta was found by a shepherd in the place where today´s cave sanctuary is situated, on the way to “Llano de las Marías”. The Virgin is a 15th century work which is only 11 centimetres high. It is believed to be the smallest image worshipped in Spain. At first, as a result of its find, the image started being venerated in a small cave (the place where it was found). Later, the current Hermitage was erected due to great popular fervour.
Every year, a “romería” is celebrated in her honour in early June, in which the whole town participates.
Festivity of Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta: On 15th August.
Date of stay of the image in the temple: The image is taken from the Church of San Juan Bautista to the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta on 1st May. It remains in the hermitage throughout the month of May. A “romería” is celebrated in her honour in early June, when the return of the image to the Church of San Juan Bautista takes place.