Avila - Ermita de Sonsoles

In May 1480, the farrier Andrés Díaz presented a petition in which he said “that he and other persons had gone to Santa María de Sonsoles. The church there was in poor condition and without decoration. The Provisor and Vicar General gave his permission for the establishment of a brotherhood under the name of Our Lady of Sonsoles.

The brotherhood was very successful so the pilgrim hospital "Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles" was founded after 1500. As the number of pilgrims grew, the church was extended end of the 16th century. Its single nave was replaced by three naves

There are many votive offerings in this church.

Crocodiles are an unusual species in European churches.

According to the information provided here, a man was riding through Panama when he encountered a crocodile. Praying to Señora de Sonsoles, he managed to finish the beast off, as his riding crop turned into a sword. This animal was loaded onto the ship back to Spain and stuffed. It has been on display since the 16th century.