Ermita de la Santa Creu d'Alacant, Hermitage church in Santa Cruz district, Alicante, Spain
The Ermita de la Santa Cruz sits on Mount Benacantil and features a modest stone structure topped with a central cross and decorative mosaic tile panels marking the pathway. From this hilltop location, the building overlooks the Mediterranean coast and the urban sprawl of Alicante below.
The hermitage was founded following the discovery of a cross in the late 19th century and officially consecrated on March 16, 1884. This event established the site as an important religious place for the surrounding community.
The hermitage serves as a center for local devotion, with religious processions carrying an image of Christ to different churches during the year. This practice connects the community and shows how deeply the place matters to people's faith.
Access to the hermitage is via Pasos Street, which winds uphill with several small chapels spaced along the climbing route to reach the main building at the summit. Visitors should be prepared for stairs and a steep climb, with early morning visits being more comfortable in warm weather.
The path leading upward contains a series of small chapels that visitors encounter as they climb toward the main structure, transforming the walk into a spiritual progression. These distributed sacred spaces along the route create a journey through multiple points of devotion.
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