Ermita de Jesús Nazareno

The Jesús Nazareno Shrine dates back to 1705. Built in the Baroque style, with a Latin cross floorplan and a belfry, the most outstanding features are the fresco paintings full of religious symbols and the Baroque altarpiece with Solomonic columns. Here we find the shrine of the main image, Jesus of Nazareth, by Latrucci as the original disappeared. It was better known as "El Abuelo" (the Grandpa) during the Spanish Civil War. Above we can see a painting of Jesus on the cross, attributed to the famous painter from Granada, Alonso Cano.

On the sides we find several shrines with images of Our Lady of Sorrows, Saint John, Saint Marcela and Saint Veracruz. All these images are taken out in a procession on Good Friday in one of the most eagerly anticipated events during Holy Week in Loja.

The end of the procession on Good Friday, better known as "La Corriílla", is one of the highlights of the celebration. The people carrying the images ("horquilleros") lift up the thrones and run up to the shrine to the beat of the drums. It is a very special moment and very popular with locals, visitors and tourists.