Ermita de San Roque

Come and take a look around an elegant chapel in Villafranca del Cid.

Ermita de San Roque, San Roque Chapel, is located in the municipality of Villafranca del Cid in the province of Castellón. Its origins are shrouded in legend: around the year 1520, it is said that a man beleaguered with the plague sought refuge in a cave near the town. He promised San Roque that if he cured him, he would build a chapel in his honour. And that is exactly what happened. The early chapel sat close to Barranc de la Fos. It is also believed that the saint freed Villafranca del Cid from locust swarms. San Roque thus ended up being the patron saint of the town.

Given that the old place of worship was difficult to access, the chapel you can see today was built in the early 18th century. The early chapel was then dedicated to Santa Bárbara.

This chapel in Villafranca del Cid, province of Castellón, is tall, slim and elegant. It has a portico at the main façade, above which is located the choir. The buttresses sustain the weight of the large walls and the roof. When you step inside, you will find yourself in front of one nave with a high altar and walls with decoration depicting San Roque.

At the same time the chapel was built, a 'peiró' to San Roque was also constructed. This building did not withstand the passing of time. San Roque Chapel, however, is still standing, and is calling out for you to come for a visit. Don’t miss this example of local heritage in Villafranca del Cid.