Hermitage of Santa Ana, Beceite

Located in the picturesque arrabal del puente, outside the ancient walls of Beceite, the hermitage of Santa Ana has historically been the welcoming point for travellers arriving along the old road from Peñarroya. Its construction is intimately linked to the expansion of the suburb and the building of the iconic stone bridge, key elements in the development of the town.

This hermitage is a remarkable Gothic-Renaissance construction, built in rough stone between the 15th and 16th centuries. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it underwent significant modifications, including the addition of the main nave and an impressive exterior portico in 1699. The altar, oriented to the west, reveals architectural features of great interest, such as a five-sided polygonal apse and an elegant ribbed vault. The figure of Santa Ana stands out, resting on the octagonal trunk of the former "creu del Molinar", adorned with trefoil Gothic tracery and images of apostles, evangelists, San Miguel and the Pietà.

The structure combines rubble masonry and ashlar masonry, presenting a single nave with a rectangular plan, a choir at the front and a polygonal chancel. The nave is covered with a barrel vault, while the chancel features the sophisticated ribbed vault. On the exterior, a portico with three large round arches and a slender bell gable of ashlar masonry with two superimposed openings in the west gable, dated 1699, adorn the ensemble. The lintel of the entrance to the sacristy, attached to the chancel, bears the date 1702, suggesting the authorship of the stonemason from Calaceite, Francisco Bunos.

Santa Ana, mother of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, is venerated as the patron saint of women in childbirth, and her name, of Hebrew origin, means "Grace". In Beceite, she is particularly regarded as the abogada de la buena muerte. 26 July, the feast day of the Saint, is a notable date. During the nine preceding days, the residents of the Arrabal neighbourhood gather at the hermitage each evening to pray the traditional novena in her honour.

In the past, the feast of Santa Ana was celebrated with various popular festivities, including heifer races and dances, which complemented the religious commemorations. Today, the hermitage of Santa Ana continues to be a vital space for the community, also hosting weddings and baptisms, keeping its cultural and spiritual significance alive.