Hermitory of Saint Anthony, Almassora

The Hermitage of Saint Anthony is a small 17th-century chapel in Almassora, a town in Spain's Castellón province, standing at the junction of the road to the sea and the Caminás de Sant Antoni track. It is one of several historic religious buildings scattered among the surrounding orange groves, a quiet witness to the rural devotion that has shaped this part of the Plana de Castellón for centuries.

How do you get there?

The hermitage sits outside the town centre, surrounded by the flat farmland typical of the fertile Plana de Castellón. The easiest way to reach it is by car or bicycle: the Camino al Mar (the road toward the sea) leads directly to the crossroads where the chapel stands. Travellers without a car can set out from central Almassora and cover the few kilometres through open farmland — a pleasant walk or ride if you avoid the hottest hours of the day.

What will you see there?

Built in Baroque style, the chapel shows the facade typical of this kind of rural hermitage: two arches opening onto a narrow vestibule. From that vestibule, two separate doors lead off — one into the chapel itself, the other into the adjoining hermit's house, a layout that reveals how the site has long combined a place of prayer with a dwelling for the shrine's caretaker. A small bell gable and cupola crown the building. The facade, traditionally plastered and painted in the same style as the area's farmhouses (masías), was restored in 1984 to recover its original appearance. In 1998 the hermitage was added to the General Inventory of Cultural Heritage of the Valencian Community as an Asset of Local Relevance, formal recognition of its historical value to the region.

When is the best time to visit?

The hermitage opens its doors for worship mainly during the summer months, when local residents visit more frequently than the rest of the year. The best time to come is the first Sunday of August, when the feast of the patron saint, Anthony, is celebrated. Residents of the surrounding district gather at the chapel for a traditional get-together that has been part of the local festive calendar for years. Outside that date, the site keeps a peaceful, contemplative character — a good option for anyone looking for a break from the busier beach resorts of the Costa del Azahar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the hermitage open to visitors all year round? The building remains open for worship mainly in the summer months; outside that period, access to the interior may be limited, so it is worth checking current visiting conditions before you go.

What is the main event associated with the hermitage? The feast of Saint Anthony, celebrated on the first Sunday of August, when residents of the surrounding district gather at the chapel.

Is it worth combining the visit with other sights in Almassora? Yes — the town and its surroundings hold several other historic chapels, including the Ermita de San José and the Ermita de San Juan Bautista, making it easy to plan a short route through the local religious heritage.

Do you need a car to get there? Not necessarily — the surrounding area is flat, and the road to the sea makes it easy to walk or cycle there, although a car does cut down significantly on travel time from the town centre.