Hermitage of Santa María de La Piscina

The chapel of Santa María de La Piscina is located near the village of Peciña in the municipality of San Vicente de la Sonsierra the north of the province of La Rioja, Spain. This building is the best preserved monument of Romanesque architecture in the Rioja, when this region was still part of the Kingdom of Navarre.

History

The Infante of Navarre, Ramiro Sánchez de Navarra, son of Sancho Garcés of Navarre was a participant in the First Crusade and participated in the capture of Jerusalem in 1099. According to tradition, he stormed Jerusalem at the site was due to the baths (Spanish Piscina ) by Bethesda. After his return, he decreed in his will dated 13 November 1110 that in memory of his military pilgrimage to Jerusalem a church be erected in his home, which was to be called " Santa María de la Piscina " ", ie the " Hl. Maria should be consecrated by bathing. " His sons, including the future King of Navarre, García IV Ramírez, fulfilled his wish and the chapel was consecrated on August 1, 1137 by the Bishop of Calahorra, Sancho de Funes. Chapel is today, entertain and used. on the lands still of the noble descendants of the founder, some of which carry the family name " Ramírez de la Piscina " is operated for centuries viticulture and Bodegas Ramirez de la Piscina are known for their Rioja far beyond the borders of Spain.