Ermita de San Urbez, Hermitage church in Cañón de Añisclo, Spain.
The Ermita de San Urbez is a small stone church built into a cliff in the Cañón de Añisclo, with its entrance framed by a semicircular arch. The structure is carved into the rock itself, using the natural stone wall as shelter and creating a cave-like interior space.
The building was constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries as a hermitage for Saint Urbez, a holy man who fled to the mountains to live in solitude. The chapel marks one of the earliest religious settlements in this remote canyon region.
The hermitage serves as a pilgrimage destination in the Pyrenees where visitors come year-round to seek blessings for rainfall. Processions take place here when drought threatens the region.
The hermitage is reached by a walking path from the parking area near Escalona, crossing the San Urbez bridge over the Bellós River. The route is straightforward and well-marked, though sturdy footwear is recommended as the ground can be uneven in places.
Inside the chapel, a large stone slab is displayed where Saint Urbez is said to have rested during his time in the mountains. It sits near a modern carving placed in a wall niche, creating an interesting contrast between old and new.
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