Parish Church of Santa María – Sanctuary

With a solid history, the Parish Church of Santa María, built in 1502, is a true architectural treasure that shines with a Mudejar coffered ceiling. Built in the 16th century, the church is notable for its unique Mudejar coffered ceiling and simple box-shaped structure. The façade, modest in appearance, has a bell tower at the foot of the church itself. Among its artistic treasures is the carving of the Cristo del Bosque, made in the 20th century by craftsmen from Baza after the destruction of the original, of which the left leg is preserved in the new image; during the Spanish Civil War. According to a parchment found by the sculptor José de Almunia in the original sculpture during its restoration, this was a Baroque work by Juan Ladrón Freila.

The parish church of Santa María, in Bacares (Almería), was elevated to the status of sanctuary in 2022, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the first image of the Santo Cristo del Bosque, patron saint of the town. This recognition was granted by the bishop of Almería, Antonio Gómez Cantero, highlighting the deep devotion that the image arouses in the region and its historical and spiritual relevance.