Coveta de Santa Inés (de la Venerable Inés de Moncada)

The Coveta de Santa Inés is a humble hermit's refuge set into a cave on the northern face of the Rodeno de Santa Inés, in the heart of the Sierra Calderona. Tied to the nearby Carthusian monastery of Porta Coeli and to the memory of the Venerable Inés de Moncada, this corner of red rock and pine woods breathes a spiritual serenity that few places preserve today.

History

For centuries the cave served as a place of prayer and retreat for the Carthusian monks, who sought in the solitude of the mountain the silence that suited a contemplative life. Its memory remained bound to that of the Venerable Inés de Moncada, born in 1388, whose figure forms part of the spiritual heritage of this setting. Tucked into the hillside, the refuge is a simple testimony to the old eremitical tradition that flourished around the monastery.

What to see

The appeal of the coveta lies not in architectural grandeur but in its natural surroundings and atmosphere of recollection. The reddish sandstone of the rodeno, the pine forests of the Calderona and the views over the range accompany the visit and explain why it was chosen as a place of retreat.

Tips for your visit

• It is reached by a short, scenic walk from near the monastery, between pines and red rock.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sun protection; this is mountain terrain.
• It is a deeply tranquil spot, so please respect the silence of the place.
• Combine it with a visit to the Porta Coeli monastery and the village of Serra.