Nestled in a green valley near the sulphur springs of Baños de la Hedionda, not far from the town of Manilva, the Ermita de San Adolfo is a modest whitewashed chapel that embodies the charm, history, and spiritual tradition of rural Andalucia. Built in the late 18th or early 19th century, it once served shepherds, farmers, and pilgrims seeking healing at the nearby waters. Though damaged during the Spanish Civil War, the chapel was later restored thanks to a donation from local landowner Ricardo Huelin and is now part of the Parish of Santa Ana in Manilva.
Surrounded by cypress trees and wild herbs, the chapel maintains its simple Andalucian design: a single nave with a small altar, terracotta floors, and an espadaña bell gable. Though often closed to the public, the site comes alive each spring during the Romería de la Virgen de Fátima, when pilgrims from Manilva and Casares walk to the chapel in a joyful religious procession full of music, dancing, and community spirit.
Today, La Ermita de San Adolfo is both a sacred place and a cherished community space, preserved through local stewardship and used for festivals, picnics, and quiet reflection. Visiting the hermitage offers not just a peaceful break from the tourist trail, but a glimpse into the living cultural fabric of Andalucia.
