Ermita de Sant Roc

Ermita de Sant Roc is a small chapel standing at the edge of Culla, a village in the Alt Maestrat region of Castellón province, in eastern Spain.

Where exactly is the chapel located?

The building sits just outside the town, along the CV-166 road heading toward Benasal, in a spot known locally as San Roque. A stone cross stands nearby, a feature common to many rural shrines across this part of the country. Culla itself lies in the mountainous Maestrazgo area, a region known for its stone-built villages and the many small religious buildings scattered across its hillsides.

When was the hermitage built?

The chapel dates from the 16th century, with historians placing its construction between 1562 and 1574. This was a period of active religious building across what is now the Valencian Community, when many towns raised modest votive chapels of this kind — often as an expression of thanks for the end of an epidemic. Saint Roch, to whom the building is dedicated, is traditionally invoked as a protector against plague.

What does the interior look like?

Inside, the roof is formed by a wooden artesonado ceiling, a coffered structure supported on three semicircular arches resting on pilasters that divide the nave into four sections. This wooden ceiling has been restored through the work of the La Luz de las Imágenes foundation, an organisation active across the Valencian Community that focuses on preserving local religious heritage.

How has the building's use changed over time?

The chapel's history has not been a straight line. During the Spanish Civil War, the building was repurposed as a garage for trucks: the main entrance was widened to allow vehicles through, while the original side door was sealed off to accommodate this entirely different, secular function. It was not until 1984 that a full restoration took place, when the enlarged doorway was converted back into a barred window and the original side entrance was reopened. This episode is a good illustration of how small rural chapels in Spain were sometimes pressed into non-religious use during difficult periods, before later being returned to their original purpose.

What protection status does it hold?

Ermita de Sant Roc is listed as a Bien de Relevancia Local (Site of Local Relevance) under the classification maintained by the Valencian regional ministry responsible for artistic heritage. This category covers numerous chapels, roadside crosses and minor religious buildings across the region — structures that do not carry top-tier heritage status but are nonetheless protected for their historical value and their role in local identity.

Who is this site worth visiting for?

The chapel makes a natural stop for anyone exploring Culla and the surrounding hills of the Maestrazgo, a region valued for its stone villages, hiking routes and mountain views across the northern part of Castellón province. Though modest in scale, the building is a good example of the simple votive architecture typical of this area, and its layered history — from religious use, to a secular interlude, and back again after restoration — offers a small but telling window into how such buildings have weathered the centuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Ermita de Sant Roc located? At the edge of Culla, along the CV-166 road toward Benasal, in the area known as San Roque.

When was the chapel built? In the second half of the 16th century, dated to between 1562 and 1574.

Did the chapel always serve a religious function? No — during the Spanish Civil War it was used as a truck garage; a 1984 restoration returned it to its original form and purpose.

What heritage protection does the building have? It is registered as a Bien de Relevancia Local within the Valencian artistic heritage listing.