Ermita de Santiago (Monsacro)

The Ermita de Santiago, located on Mount Monsacro (also known as Monte Sacro) in the Asturian municipality of Morcín, Spain, is a small, historic chapel dedicated to Saint James (Santiago). It sits alongside another chapel dedicated to San Miguel, forming a significant religious complex at the summit of the mountain.

Legend associates Monsacro with the Arca Santa, a reliquary containing relics from Jerusalem, which was supposedly hidden on the mountain during the Moorish invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. It is believed that the hermits living on Monsacro safeguarded the Arca Santa until it was relocated to the Cathedral of Oviedo.

The current structure of the Ermita de Santiago dates primarily from the 18th century, although it likely stands on the site of a much older religious building. Architectural elements suggest the presence of earlier constructions, possibly even pre-Roman or early medieval. The chapel is small and simple in design, reflecting the austere nature of its mountainous location and the hermetic lifestyle traditionally associated with the site.

Pilgrimages and religious observances are still practiced at the Ermita de Santiago, drawing visitors to Monsacro throughout the year, particularly during the feast day of Saint James. The site offers panoramic views of the surrounding Asturian landscape and represents a blend of religious, historical, and natural significance.