Santuario de Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes

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Located 7 kilometres from the town, this shrine is another of Villena´s treasures. The legend recounts the desire of the Villena people to build a temple to a patron saint that would protect them from the plague that devastated the town. So, the Virgin of Virtues received the title of protector against the plague and patron of Villena. The church with three Gothic-style naves, is reached via the cloister. An inscription in the central nave reveals the date of its inauguration: 1581. However, the Baroque influence can be seen in the alcove with decorative stucco and paintings from the XVII century, which depict allegories related to the Virgin Mary. The altar, ornately decorated with mouldings, paintings and stucco is presided by the Virgin of Virtues, whom the locals affectionately refer to as the “Morenica”, in allusion to the dark colour of her skin.