SANTUARIO NUESTRA SEÑORA DE REGLA

Description

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Regla has its origin in the castle-fortress that the Ponce de León family from Chipiona donated to the Augustinian monks in 1399.

Although many works were carried out to adapt it to religious uses, it has always maintained a fortress-like image. During the 15th century, new additions and improvements were built, such as the Mudejar-style courtyard, one of the monument´s artistic gems.

Later, in the 17th century, when worship to the Virgen de Regla goes beyond the borders of land and sea, the Humilladero is built. Due to the Order of Expulsion of Religious Orders declared in 1835, the Augustinians were forced to leave the Sanctuary and the image of the Virgin is carried to the town´s parish church until 1852, when the image is returned to the sanctuary by the Duke and Duchess of Orleáns.

In 1882, the Spanish government transferred ownership of the Sanctuary to Father Lerchundi and the Franciscan Order, ushering in the start of a new period. Popular devotion to the Virgin took on unprecedented fervor and increasing numbers of devotees helped to fund the construction of the current Sanctuary (1804-1806) in Neogothic style.