Santa Lucia

Hermitage of Santa Llúcia

Perched on a hill just outside the historic center of Jávea, the Hermitage of Santa Llúcia is a simple yet striking chapel dating back to the early 16th century. The building has a single rectangular nave and an austere charm. In the Middle Ages, Saint Lucy was invoked against eye diseases, most likely because her name is closely associated with light.

Her feast day is celebrated every year on December 13th with a blend of religious devotion and popular tradition. On the eve of the festival, the town’s mayors, accompanied by the music of the dulzaina and tambourine, place a bouquet of flowers in a street niche dedicated to the saint. Along the route, they share pumpkin fritters and a glass of mistela (a sweet local wine) with those they meet.

On the morning of the 13th, hundreds of residents and visitors make the pilgrimage up the hillside path to the chapel. After mass, the celebration continues with a warm cup of hot chocolate for everyone — a simple yet heartfelt tradition that brings the community together.