About the sanctuary of the Virgen de la Encina, Baños de la Encina (Jaén)

Abstract

While popular tradition, and even the parish council of Baños de la Encina, defend an early date for the veneration of the Virgin de la Encina and, therefore, for the construction of her sanctuary —even the year 2025 marked the 800th anniversary of her apparition— archaeological research suggests a date no earlier than the 15th century. This article, based on an analysis of the architecture of the hermitage complex and the documentary evidence found, opens a third possibility. The document states that the earliest hermitage was built in the 14th century, while the tower of the crossing was erected later in the 15th century.