Ermita de San Juan de la Mosquera

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A chapel with over four centuries of history.

The Mosquera district of the municipality of Alcalalí, located in the province of Alicante, is home to a chapel that dates back to the 16th century. Ermita de San Juan de la Mosquera, San Juan de la Mosquera Chapel, is still standing today: come for an explore and enjoy the natural surroundings.

The rural district of Mosquera was once a Moorish community of the same name. A document states that in 1577 Mosquera had 30 houses, a number of riuraus (used to dry grapes), a threshing floor, a flour mill, an oil press and even a well and water wheel.

San Juan de Mosquera Chapel dates back to this period, being built in the 16th century on the order of Juan de Ribera. San Juan el Precursor was chosen to be the patron saint and for some time the chapel was a very popular site. The residents of nearby villages would travel to the chapel for Porrat de Sant Joan, which was famous in the 18th century until, in the late 19th, it moved to Alcalalí.

Interestingly, La Natividad de Nuestra Señora Parish Church houses Sant Joanet de Mosquera Bell. The bell was originally from the chapel and is listed a Site of Cultural Interest.

Nowadays, the chapel is surrounded by a picnic area with tables where you can have something to eat and enjoy spending some time in the fresh air. Once you have been once, you are sure to be back again.