DESCRIPTION

Popular religious building located in Fuenlabrada de los Montes, historically linked to devotion to Santa Ana and to an ancient local brotherhood dedicated to this devotion. The hermitage constitutes one of the most representative examples of traditional religious architecture in the town.

The original building, constructed in stone and brick, has an east-west orientation, with the façade and entrance facing east and the presbytery at the opposite end. Throughout its history it has undergone different renovations and reconstruction processes, especially a major intervention carried out in 1970, during which various deteriorated or missing parts of the building were restored.

HISTORY

The first known documentary reference to the hermitage appears in its Libro de Fábrica dated 1640, although the building itself is at least several decades older. Historically, the hermitage had a Cofradía de Santa Ana, which was probably responsible for its construction and maintenance. The brotherhood had its own Libro de Fábrica and various sources of funding intended for the upkeep of the building and the associated religious celebrations. Its main resources included cattle, beehives, land, alms and testamentary donations made by devotees.

In 1970 the hermitage underwent a major reconstruction. At that time, part of the building lacked a roof, especially the central area of the nave for worshippers, and the original doorway had also disappeared. During this intervention, a wall with an access door was built in the second interior arch to enclose the covered section of the building, and the sacristy was also rebuilt.
Despite its partially ruined condition prior to restoration, the hermitage continued to be used for the religious celebrations held during the month of May and for the feast of Santa Ana.

HISTORICAL AND ARTISTIC DESCRIPTION

The hermitage is a stone and brick construction composed of two clearly differentiated spaces: the presbytery and the nave for worshippers.

The presbytery, with a square floor plan and approximate dimensions of 4 x 4 metres, constitutes the highest part of the ensemble. It is covered by a hemispherical dome resting on an octagonal base supported by the walls and by the arch separating this area from the rest of the temple. The dome reaches an approximate maximum height of nine metres. Externally, it features a hipped roof with a pronounced slope.

The nave for worshippers has a rectangular floor plan, with approximate dimensions of 12 x 5 metres. It is structured by means of four semicircular arches supporting beams, floor structures and the roof. Externally, each arch has buttresses designed to absorb the structural thrust of the roof. The maximum height of the main body reaches approximately 6.5 metres at the top of the roof.
The sacristy is attached to the northern side, between the presbytery and the main nave. It is connected through an arch opened in the wall and has approximate dimensions of 3 x 3 metres. Its construction postdates the rest of the building.

The hermitage follows models of popular Extremaduran religious architecture characterised by constructional sobriety, the functionality of its spaces and adaptation to the devotional and festive needs of the rural population.

RELEVANT FIGURES RELATED TO THE POI

The history of the hermitage is closely linked to the ancient Cofradía de Santa Ana, the religious institution responsible for maintaining the temple and organising the celebrations dedicated to the saint.
The brotherhood also played an important economic and social role within the local community, managing assets and resources intended to support worship and preserve the building.

MOVABLE HERITAGE

The hermitage houses the titular image of Santa Ana and various liturgical elements associated with worship and with the traditional religious celebrations held in the temple.

INTANGIBLE HERITAGE

The hermitage maintains a strong connection with the popular and religious celebrations dedicated to Santa Ana, forming part of the collective memory and traditions of Fuenlabrada de los Montes.
Historically, it served as a gathering and celebration centre during the festivities of May and the feast of Santa Ana, maintaining its devotional use even during periods when the building suffered major structural deterioration.

The historical existence of the Cofradía de Santa Ana further reinforces the site’s intangible value as a place of popular religiosity and community identity.