Ermita de San José y el Calvario

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Church FREE

Cerro del Calvario, parte alta del casco urbano de Serra

A simple 1894 hermitage with a white façade and gabled roof, sitting atop a calvary completed in 1893. You climb up via ramps and reddish-stone terraces that hold the fourteen Stations of the Cross in small neo-Gothic ceramic niches. Beside it stands the Torre de la Ermita, a watchtower of 9th-century Islamic origin; the ensemble is a Site of Local Relevance.

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High on the Cerro del Calvario, overlooking the upper part of the old town of Serra, stands the Hermitage of San José and the Calvary: a simple chapel with a white façade and a pitched roof, crowning one of the most peaceful corners of the village. The climb, up ramps and terraces of reddish stone, is part of the experience: each stretch is punctuated by the fourteen Stations of the Cross, sheltered in small ceramic niches in a neo-Gothic style.

History

The calvary was completed in 1893 and the hermitage dates from 1894, following the Valencian tradition of calvaries that rise up a hillside to a chapel at the summit. Beside the chapel stands the Hermitage Tower, of Islamic origin from the 9th century, a reminder of these lands' Andalusi past. The ensemble is listed as a Site of Local Relevance (Bien de Relevancia Local).

What to see

The succession of ceramic Stations of the Cross set along the climbing terraces.
The white façade and the plain interior of the hermitage.
The adjoining Islamic tower and the views over the old town and the Sierra Calderona.

Tips for your visit

The ascent is on foot up ramps; wear comfortable shoes.
Early morning or late afternoon offers the best light and temperature.
Pair it with the nearby castle of Serra to round out your visit to the town.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Hermitage of St Joseph and the Calvary free?

Yes, access is free; you climb up ramps and stone terraces to the top of the Calvary hill.

How do you get to the Hermitage of St Joseph and the Calvary?

It is in the upper part of Serra's town centre and is reached on foot up a calvary of reddish stone ramps and terraces lined by the fourteen Stations of the Cross.

What can you see at the Hermitage of St Joseph and the Calvary?

A simple 1894 white-fronted hermitage, the fourteen Stations of the Cross in Neo-Gothic ceramic niches and, beside it, the 9th-century Islamic-origin Hermitage Tower; the ensemble is listed as a Site of Local Relevance.

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