This hermitage, built between 1716 and 1718 and declared National Monument in 1945, is located close to Madrid's Royal Palace. It is a reconstruction of the original building designed by Pedro de Ribera at the start of the 18th Century, one of the first examples of Baroque architecture in Spain. For centuries, it was the destination of the Madrid pilgrimage to worship the shrine to Our Lady of the Harbour located inside, a custom that gave rise to the celebration known as the Verbena de la Melonera. 

The Marquis of Vadillo, the mayor of Madrid, as appointed by the King, commissioned Ribera to build this hermitage in 1716, by the River Manzanares. Of particular note is the difference between the interior and exterior. Inside, there is a central space with a dome, four chapels, and four solid pillars that complete the octagon. The outside is made up of flat surfaces. It is also home to the grave of the Marquis of Vadillo, built in 1729, and also designed by Ribera.

It was restored on several occasions over the course of the 20th Century. After the Civil War, it was completely destroyed, so today’s building is a reconstruction dating back to 1945 which, in turn, has subsequently been restored, eliminating the rendering from the façades  and leaving the masonry and brickwork on view and returning the characteristic slate roofs to the towers.

Although the hermitage is usually closed except for hours of worship or if there is a special event (concerts, weddings, spiritual retreats, etc.), guided visits are available only in Spanish with a prior reservation via e-mail fmunozm@hotmail.com. These visits last between one hour and a half and two hours.  An explanation will be provided outside on its architecture, environment and history, and inside, Our Lady’s alcove will be visited, where objects can be seen in a small exhibition to commemorate its 300th anniversary, which was in 2018.