Hermitage of Christ of the True Cross

The hermitage of the Holy Christ of the True Cross is located in the center of Cózar, next to the Parish of Saint Vincent Martyr, forming part of one of the most representative spaces of the town.

Its location, right in the heart of the town, reinforces its importance within the religious and festive life of the village, as it is not an isolated sanctuary, but a building fully integrated into the historic center of the town. This position explains why it has been, for centuries, one of the main centers of popular devotion in Cózar.

Its origins They date back to the 15th century, although the current hermitage was built between the 16th and 17th centuries and responds to a language baroque.

Throughout its history it has been closely linked to devotion to Most Holy Christ of the True Cross, patron saint of the town.

During the Spanish Civil War of 1936, it suffered extensive looting in which several of its elements disappeared, including the altarpiece, which explains the highly restored state of its interior today. Even so, it has maintained its symbolic value within the festive calendar of Cózar, especially around the September celebrations.

Inside, the following is venerated: Image of the Holy Christ, a 18th century wood carving, to which is added an old Image of Saint Crispina, considered by local tradition as the original dedication of the hermitage.

One of the most unique elements associated with this place are the so-called cups, preserved in the rear of the building and linked to a traditional game over five hundred years old. This festive rite, held around September 14th, This makes the hermitage much more than a religious building, as it directly links it to one of the most original and deeply rooted customs in the entire Campo de Montiel region.