Ermita de Sant Isidre i Sant Pere

Ermita de Sant Isidre i Sant Pere is a small rural chapel in Castelló de la Plana, tucked among farmland on the old road toward the sea, in the former Censal district, along the Caminàs route heading to Grao de Castellón. It offers a different side of the city — the agricultural tradition of the Plana, far from the beaches and the historic centre.

How did the hermitage come to be?

The building's story starts in the 17th century. In 1628, farmer Antoni Castell, who owned large plots of land in this part of the Plana, donated part of his property for a chapel dedicated to San Isidro — patron saint of farmers, canonised in 1622. Work on the first hermitage began on 10 June 1630 and was finished in 1644. The "i Sant Pere" (and Saint Peter) part of the name was added later, when a second patron linked to the surrounding farms joined the dedication.

In 1652, Cristóbal Figuerola and Pedro Castell commissioned Valencian sculptor Antonio López to build a wooden altarpiece for the main altar. That altarpiece survives in its original spot to this day — one of the oldest pieces of decoration among Castellón's hermitages. One painting from the altarpiece was removed in 1936 to protect it from destruction and is now kept at the Cathedral Museum of Santa María in Castelló.

What will you see on site?

The hermitage has a simple single-nave layout divided into three sections plus a presbytery. The entrance is a modest arched doorway flanked by stone plaques and built-in stone benches — a typical feature of rural chapel architecture in the region. An adjoining hermit's house shows that the site has been inhabited and cared for by a caretaker for centuries.

The interior is small but keeps its 17th-century character thanks to the baroque altarpiece. The setting — quiet farmland all around — makes a visit here feel different from touring Castelló's urban landmarks; it's a calmer, more contemplative stop.

What happened to it over the centuries?

The building weathered difficult periods. During the 1885 cholera epidemic it served as a hospital for the surrounding area. Between 1892 and 1894 the town council carried out repair and reconstruction work, restoring its role as a place of worship. In 1972 the site was handed over to the city's Agricultural Entities, who carried out another restoration — the reason the chapel is in such good condition today.

When should you visit?

The best time to come is around 15 May, the feast day of San Isidro Labrador. Local farming associations organise celebrations that day: a solemn mass, hymns in honour of the saint, a blessing of the fields, and accompanying popular festivities. It's a chance to see the hermitage "alive," in the context of the tradition it was built for.

Outside the festival, the site remains a peaceful stop on a walking or cycling route through Castellón's historic hermitages — a trail linking several such chapels around the city that's a popular way to explore the rural history of the Plana.

How do you get there?

The hermitage sits on the old road toward the coast, in the Censal area, close to the route to Grao de Castellón. The most convenient way to reach it is by car or bicycle — the surroundings are genuinely rural, with farmland lining the road on both sides, so it's worth planning the trip in advance rather than relying on frequent public transport.

Frequently asked questions

What sets this hermitage apart from others in Castelló? Its standout feature is the original 1652 baroque altarpiece, still in place — many other hermitages in the region lack such a well-documented and well-preserved piece from that period.

Can you go inside? The site is managed by local agricultural associations, so access can vary — your best chance of seeing the interior is during the festivities tied to San Isidro.

Is it worth combining with other hermitages nearby? Yes — Castelló de la Plana has a trail linking several historic hermitages, and Sant Isidre i Sant Pere is one of the more notable ones given its age and preserved decoration.

What happened to the altar painting? It was removed in 1936 for safekeeping and is now held at the Cathedral Museum of Santa María in Castelló, where it can still be seen today.