Mare de Déu de la Fontcalda

Gandesa · Terra Alta (Tarragona)

In a deep ravine of the serra of Pàndols, next to a thermal source of healing waters, the shrine of the Fontcalda is a Marian retreat of a strong erectic character, goal of Romeria of the Terra Alta.

Origin and history

The site is named after a thermal source of hot water, of mineromicinal properties. From the late 14th or early 15th century a community of Trinitarian friars was established there to attend the sanctuary, and news of an earlier chapel documented at least since the 16th century is preserved. The present church began to be built on August 26, 1753 and was opened in 1764, then moving the image to the new temple.

After the trinitarians' march, the cult was in charge of a hermit, which shows the continuity of devotion. During the Civil War of 1936 the baroque altarpiece and the image were burned, so the current one is later. Devotion is linked to the Romries - once also linked to the spa - and to confidence in the waters; the Virgin is invoked as a protector of pilgrims and sick people. The sanctuary, in an isolated ravine, is now a place of retreat accessible by the Via Verde de la Terra Alta.

Formal patronage, self-feast dated and canonical coronation: they are not recorded in the sources.