A pilgrimage site born from the ruins of Fuentes de Carbonero

Fuentes de Carbonero is a ghost town in the province of Segovia. Dating from the 12th century, its economy was based on work in lime kilns and brick manufacturing, as well as dryland crops, vineyards, and the raising of sheep and pigs. By the mid-20th century, the population had largely vanished - in 1950, it had 118 inhabitants, but by 1963, only two families remained.

The centerpiece of these ruins is the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Rebuilt in 1741 by master mason José Gómez, the building fell into deep decay as the village emptied. It faced vandalism and other types of damage until the Obispado de Segovia allowed for a restoration project to be carried out by the Camino Neocatecumenal.

This church holds a special value because its founder, Kiko Argüello, used it to take the first steps of this itinerary. In 1968, the first Vigil of the Camino took place here, where the history of salvation was remembered through liturgy. It was also here that Kiko began to celebrate the gatherings of Itinerantes, where volunteers were sent to evangelize the world.

Today, the building is no longer a ruin. A restoration project was managed by the Fundación Familia de Nazaret to consolidate the tower, walls, and roof. Since its restoration and reopening, the space has served as a place of pilgrimage. Visitors can see the single-nave structure built with masonry and high-quality ashlar stone at the wall joints and openings.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons