Ermita de Sant Gregori de Vinaròs

Ermita de Sant Gregori is a small hermitage chapel on the outskirts of Vinaròs, a coastal town on the Costa del Azahar in the province of Castelló. It stands roughly 700 metres from the town centre, at the junction of the road to the cemetery and the Sant Gregori road, and has remained a landmark of local popular devotion for more than two centuries.

How did the hermitage come about?

The story goes back to the late 18th century. According to local tradition, farmers in the area had been suffering from a locust plague that was destroying their crops, and its disappearance was attributed to the intercession of Saint Gregory. In gratitude, on 28 September 1779 the community decided to build a chapel in his honour. The design and construction were entrusted to Pere Gonel, a friar and architect from Vinaròs. The first stone was laid on 9 May 1780, the façade was already finished by 1781, and the whole project, including the interior decoration, was completed in 1799.

What does the building look like?

The chapel follows a Greek-cross floor plan, with the main axis extended to accommodate a raised choir at the entrance and the presbytery at the head. The crossing is covered by a dome resting on pendentives and composite-order pilasters, the lateral arms are covered with barrel vaults with lunettes, and the corners with ribbed vaulting. It is a fairly elaborate design for what began as a modest rural votive chapel, which says something about how much the local community invested in it.

What is inside?

The main altarpiece, the work of J.B. Nicolau, is crowned by a representation of Saint Anthony Abbot, flanked by figures of Saint Abdon and Saint Senen, with an image of Saint Gregory, the chapel's patron, in the central niche. Two side altarpieces with frescoes dedicated to Saint Rita of Cascia and Saint Nicholas of Tolentino have also survived. These paintings and carved decoration are the main artistic interest of the interior today.

What happened to the building over the years?

The hermitage has had an eventful history. Between 1917 and 1935 it served as a sanatorium. During the Spanish Civil War in 1936 it was turned into a gunpowder and ammunition store, and Republican soldiers reportedly used a pot placed on the main altar for target practice. After the war the chapel was used as a municipal warehouse, while the hermit's house was for a time used for driving tests and practice. After years of closure, the building was restored and reopened to residents and visitors, and the Vinaròs municipality has also been trying to revive the traditional pilgrimage (romería) to the chapel.

Who should visit?

Ermita de Sant Gregori appeals to visitors interested in local history and religious architecture rather than travellers looking for a major tourist attraction with full visitor facilities. It works well combined with a walk through the surrounding farmland on the edge of Vinaròs, or as a side trip from the town itself, which is best known for its fishing harbour and beaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Ermita de Sant Gregori located? The chapel stands on the outskirts of Vinaròs, about 700 metres from the town centre, at the junction of the cemetery road and the Sant Gregori road.

Why was the chapel built? Local farmers built it in gratitude to Saint Gregory after, according to tradition, a locust plague that had been destroying their crops came to an end. The decision to build it was made in 1779.

Who designed the hermitage? It was designed and built by Pere Gonel, a friar and architect from Vinaròs, who began work in 1780.

Has the building kept its original appearance? The structure and its interior decoration, including the main altarpiece and side frescoes, have survived despite the building serving other uses in the 20th century, such as a sanatorium, an ammunition store, and a warehouse. It has since been restored and reopened to the public.