Chapel of Saint Anthony

The Chapel of Saint Anthony (Ermita de Sant Antoni) in La Vila Joiosa is a modest church that gave its name to the entire neighborhood surrounding it, the Barrio de la Ermita. The building visitors see today dates from the 18th century, but the first documented reference to a chapel on this site goes back to 1592, meaning a place of worship stood here well over a hundred years earlier. The chapel now functions as the neighborhood's parish church and remains a key point of local identity in this part of town.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The chapel sits in the Ermita district, on a rise in the northern part of La Vila Joiosa (Alicante, Spain), a short distance from the historic old town and the seafront. Its coordinates are 38.522543, -0.238041. From the town center, the easiest way to reach it is on foot or by car, since the Ermita neighborhood is part of the built-up urban area and requires no intercity travel. It works well as an add-on to a walk through the old town, as the route passes through streets typical of small coastal towns in the Valencian Community.

What will you see there?

From the outside, the chapel is marked by a distinctive bell tower, visible from many points around the neighborhood. Inside, it follows a single-nave layout covered by a barrel vault, with a dome rising above the altar — a common arrangement for the more modest rural and parish churches of the region. The architecture is plain and functional rather than decorative, which fits its origin as a chapel built to serve a local community's practical and spiritual needs rather than as a monumental statement. It is a place best appreciated for its history and neighborhood atmosphere rather than for architectural spectacle.

When should you visit?

The best time to visit is during the Sant Antoni festivities, celebrated in January. This is one of the oldest and most popular traditions in all of La Vila Joiosa, and it is directly tied to this chapel and the neighborhood that grew up around it. Residents mark the occasion with religious ceremonies and popular festivities, turning the area around the chapel into the heart of neighborhood life for a few days. Outside the festival period, the chapel operates as a quiet parish church — a good spot for a brief, reflective stop while exploring a less touristy part of town.

A short history

The name of the Ermita neighborhood is no coincidence — it was the presence of this chapel that first drew settlers to gather here in search of safety and spiritual protection. Documentation from 1592 confirms that a place of worship already existed on this spot in the 16th century, though the structure visible today took shape through later rebuilding in the 18th century. What began as a simple roadside chapel grew into a full parish church serving the expanding neighborhood around it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chapel of Saint Anthony open to visitors? As an active parish church, it tends to open around service times and religious feast days. Outside those hours, access to the interior may be limited, but the exterior architecture and surrounding neighborhood can be freely explored.

How is this chapel different from other chapels with the same name? "Chapel of Saint Anthony" is a common dedication across the region, but this particular church in La Vila Joiosa stands out because it lent its name to an entire neighborhood and remains closely tied to the town's January festival tradition.

How long does a visit take? It is a small building, so a visit itself takes only a few minutes. It pairs well with a walk through the Ermita neighborhood and the nearby town center.

Is it worth timing a visit around the Sant Antoni festival? Yes — it is one of the most authentic ways to experience La Vila Joiosa's local traditions, centered on the very neighborhood that formed around this chapel.