Our Lady of Mercy

Patrona de Almorox (Toledo)

At the top of Almorox, next to a centenary eucalyptus, a baroque hermitage guards Our Lady of the Piety, the patron of the people; every August 14, its descent in procession opens the patronal parties, which it shares with San Roque.

Origin and history

The hermitage of Our Lady of the Piety was built in the 17th century, in Baroque style, at the highest point in the urban town of Almorox, next to a centenary eucalyptus that is the reference of the place. His major altarpiece, dated 1732, is dedicated to the Virgin of the Piety and occupies the head of the ship. The configuration of the temple and the altarpiece places the development of the cult, at least in its present form, in the baroque of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Virgin of the Piety is venerated as patron of Almorox, sharing the patron parties with San Roque. The most prominent devotional feature is the fall in procession of the image from its hermitage to the people, with which the parties open on August 14, followed by religious and popular celebrations until the 19th. The sources do not collect a documented account of origin, so any foundational legend belongs to local tradition.

Documented origin of the image and canonical coronation: not recorded in the sources.