Iglesia de San Luis Bertrán (l'Ermita)

In 1580 the Dominican friar San Luis Bertrán lived in Torrent for a while, where he preached and to whom local tradition attributes several miracles. In his memory, the municipal Consell decided on 12 September 1634 to build a chapel on the site; over time it became today's parish church, though locals still customarily call it «l'Ermita».

What to see

The current building has an eclectic-style façade and a distinctive hexagonal bell tower, finished in 1829. The interior has a rectangular floor plan, around 21 by 18 metres, with four side chapels opening onto semicircular arches. During the Civil War the building was used as a food market and a public wash-house was set up in the courtyard — a very different use from today's, and also part of its history.

It's a working place of worship, so a visit should respect service times; it's best to avoid Mass hours if the aim is just to see the interior at leisure. It's a short walk from Torrent's historic centre, on the same route as the rest of the old town.