Tocón Castle and the Hermitage of the Virgin of the Thorn

The hermitage of the Virgin of Espino is one of the most significant places in Membrilla, not only for its devotional value, but also for occupying the site of the old Tocón castle.

The sanctuary stands atop an ancient prehistoric mound, transformed over centuries into a fortress, on a hill that remained a landmark for the local population long after losing its military function. This continuity between defensive space and place of worship makes the site a striking example of how some places have maintained their historical centrality over time.

The fortress of El Tocón was an important stronghold, probably built from the mid-13th century onwards on the site of a possible earlier Andalusian settlement, and remained in use until the beginning of the Modern Age. At the end of the 15th century, it still retained an extensive moat and a double defensive enclosure consisting of an outer wall and the main body of the castle, with such notable features as the drawbridge, the Miradero tower, the keep, and the church of the depopulated village, from which the current hermitage derives. Over time, successive transformations and expansions of the sanctuary almost completely erased its original fortress-like appearance.

The current hermitage has a single floor, to which various outbuildings were added according to the needs of each era, such as the caretaker's house, the Virgin's dressing room, and the Chapel of St. James. Today, visitors find a building deeply connected to the popular religious traditions of Membrilla, but also a place where the memory of the old castle and the abandoned medieval village still lingers. Approaching the Virgin of the Thorn thus allows one to understand how archaeology, religious architecture, landscape, and festive tradition overlap on the same hill.