El Club · Carmona

The Shrine of the Virgin of Las Lindes is a stone chapel located at an elevation of nearly 600 meters, on the geographical border between the municipalities of Cabuérniga, Rionansa, and Valdáliga, in the Sierra del Escudo de Cabuérniga. The building, typical of mountain religious architecture, dates back to the 17th century (before 1670), when it was built by the parish priest Pedro de Cossío y Celis, who later retired to live there as a hermit. Its location on the Collada de Carmona, surrounded by meadows and mature oak forests, offers a highly preserved natural setting within the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of the Natura 2000 network. From the viewing point, visitors can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the town of Carmona—designated a Historic-Artistic Site—and the Nansa and Ruente valleys. The hermitage, dedicated to the patron saint of the people of Carmona, stands out for its architectural simplicity and its environment characterized by high humidity and low sunlight, where the endemic plant Soldanella villosa can thrive. Its historical and cultural significance is reinforced by the tradition of the annual pilgrimage: on the Saturday following the feast of San Roque (August 16), a Mass is celebrated with picayos and a pilgrimage in honor of the Lady of Las Lindes. The sanctuary is a landmark in local Marian legends and is featured in reputable hiking guides, such as the circular route around Mount Carmona. Although it is not marked with trail signs, access via a path through meadows and rutted dirt trails makes it an accessible destination for hikers with proper footwear. The best time to visit is from spring through fall, when trail conditions are most favorable and the vegetation is at its peak.