Chapel and Caves of Chircales

In an area where these is much water, great beauty and mystery, just a short distance from the town of Valdepeñas de Jaén, there is a site consisting of numerous caves inhabited by hermits since the early days of Christianity. There is one worth special mention in the Chapel and Caves of Chircales and which has columns carved out of the rock.

It has not been ruled out that this was of a sacred nature and has been there since the beginning of time. The chapel was built next to this cave. It is of recent construction and is home to a famous sacred painting of the Cristo de Chircales. It has been attributed to the Italian school of the late 16th or early 17th century and represents Jesus on the cross accompanied by the Virgin Mary and Saint John, with a hermit in the background. There is a representation of the triumph of the Eucharist on the back of the painting.

There is confusion regarding its origin, in 1781 it was documented as follows "there were some hermits living in caves, and a mule driver who brought some cloth for sale unwrapped a bundle and there amongst the cloth was the Image. As thanks for the kind way he had been treated he gave them the Image as a gift".

During the 20th century, it was restored by Jacinto Linares Talavera and Francisco Cerezo-Moreno. In the chapel there are also two framed carvings in niches representing San Miguel and Sta. Gertrudis, both from the 18th century, as well as two heraldic coats of arms of the bishopric.

The chapel, the caves... the water, are part of the huge religious mystery heritage to be found in this region and which are the reason for the Sierra Sur Route of the Miracles.