Hermitage of Pare Pere

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A spiritual and scenic jewel in the foothills of the Montgó, linked to the revered figure of Fray Pedro Esteve, known as Pare Pere ( 1583-1658).

History and significance

Fray Pedro Esteve was a Franciscan friar much loved in Dénia, famous for miraculous acts attributed to him during the cholera epidemic of 1633. He used to retire to meditate in a small stone hut at the foot of the Montgó (still preserved today), which later inspired the construction of the hermitage in his honor. The hermitage, built in the 1970s and opened in 1983, is decorated with ceramic panels detailing scenes from the life of the hermit and the life of Jesus Christ, and is now a place of worship and visitation.

Information

Free outdoor access all day
Price: Free

Location and access

Location: north of the Montgó, about 2.6 km from Dénia, near the Ermita de Sant Joan. Accessible by car, cab or walking from Camí de Sant Joan or Plaza Jaime I.
Visit: the original hut, due to its dimensions and to avoid its deterioration, should be observed from the outside; the hermitage opens especially on Sundays at 12:30 pm for mass and liturgical activities, although it is usually accessible outside these hours. There is also an outbuilding in front of the hermitage, which is usually open for lighting candles. The outdoor space where the Way of the Cross is located is open.

Why visit

Spirituality and tradition: a place of meditation linked to one of the most emblematic characters of Dénia, with strong popular devotion.
Natural environment: surrounded by pine trees and Mediterranean nature, the natural environment of the hermitage includes a way of the cross. A few meters away we find the path of Camí de la Colonia, the starting point of several hiking trails through the Montgó Natural Park.
Contemporary heritage: it combines emblematic 20th century architecture with religious heritage and local cultural identity.