Ermita de Sant Pau

Ermita de Sant Pau is a small hermitage chapel standing on a hill at the northern edge of Sant Pere de Ribes, in the Garraf region of Catalonia, a short drive inland from Sitges. Built beside the old road linking Igualada and Sitges, at roughly 75 metres above sea level, the chapel is easy to spot thanks to its slender bell gable rising above the roofline.

How do you get there?

The hermitage sits about half a kilometre from the centre of Sant Pere de Ribes, right where the road from Sitges enters the town. It's a gentle uphill walk of ten to fifteen minutes from the town centre, making it an easy stop to combine with a visit to Ribes Castle or a stroll through the old quarter. Cyclists also use the route as part of longer rides through the Garraf hills.

What will you see there?

The building is a simple rectangular, single-nave chapel with a semicircular apse and a two-slope tiled roof. The facade is plain and symmetrical: a centred rectangular doorway flanked by pilasters, topped by a cornice with a wavy profile and finished off with a small bell gable. About 200 metres away stands a second, privately owned chapel known as Sant Pau Xic, which holds a modest tiled altarpiece depicting Saint Paul.

The original furnishings were destroyed in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, so most of what's inside today is more recent. One tradition survived in memory, though: during the 19th and early 20th centuries, locals who emigrated to the Americas and returned wealthy would leave offerings to the saint, including a model ship traditionally hung from the ceiling.

What's the history behind it?

The earliest written record of the hermitage dates back to 1485, and archaeological finds suggest the site was already used for worship in Roman times — remains of a Roman villa have been found nearby. A first chapel administrator, Geroni Marcer, is documented from 1594.

Work on the present-day building started in the early 18th century; a roof tile stamped 1688 hints construction may have begun even earlier, before the War of the Spanish Succession brought it to a halt. In 1731, the parish priest of Ribes, Mossèn Joan Darder, left money in his will specifically to fund the continuation of the works. Building resumed in 1744 under master builder Miquel Trias and dragged on through the rest of the century, only being finished in 1804. In 1845, the hermitage and its surrounding land were declared municipal property, which kept it out of private hands for good.

Today Ermita de Sant Pau is listed as a local cultural asset, and Saint Paul remains one of the town's two patron saints.

When is the best time to visit?

The standout date is 25 January, when Sant Pere de Ribes celebrates the Festa Major de Sant Pau — a patronal festival recorded since the 18th century, with a procession that ends at the hermitage. Outside that date, the hill is simply a quiet viewpoint and a popular short walk, and the grounds around the chapel are often used for picnics year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ermita de Sant Pau? An 18th-century hermitage chapel dedicated to Saint Paul, standing on a hill at the entrance to Sant Pere de Ribes.

How far is it from the town centre? About half a kilometre — roughly a ten to fifteen-minute walk uphill.

Can you go inside the chapel? The interior is occasionally opened for guided visits organised by local heritage groups such as Castell de Ribes; check current schedules before you go.

What happens at the hermitage on 25 January? That's the Festa Major de Sant Pau, the town's main patronal festival, which includes a procession up to the chapel.