The seaside chapel dreamt up by a hermit
Perched on the cliffs of Es Cubells, the Church of the Virgen del Carmen has become one of the island’s most sought-after venues for wedding ceremonies. This is in addition to the unique fact that it is the only church situated by the sea, apart from the Cathedral. When exploring the south of Ibiza, be sure to include it on your itinerary!
Although its appearance retains the characteristic features of traditional Ibizan churches, it was not built until 1959. Its history began almost a century ago, when the Carmelite friar Francesc Palau, who lived as a hermit on the islet of Es Vedrà, spearheaded the construction of a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, patron saint of sailors, to whom the local people were deeply devoted.
That original structure was incorporated as the chancel within the new church, which was designed in 1941 and completed 18 years later. The church, modest in design and small in size, features a single central nave with side chapels and buttresses on one side.
A tip: if you visit during the festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 16 July, you’ll also be able to enjoy a display of the ‘ball pagès’ dance and traditional Ibizan crafts.
