Javea's Port Church - Welcome to Javea
The Church of the Virgin Santa de Loreto
The
church is a highly unusual and delightful architectual design. Inside
the ceiling is in the shape of the underside of a boat. This is because
the church is dedicated to the patron saint of Javea fishermen, La
Virgen de Sta. Loreto. A large number of Javea fishermen were caught up
in a dreadful storm of unusual intensity whilst away fishing and they
were in such great fear for their lives that they prayed to the saint
to protect them. They promised that if they all got safely home they
would build her a special church in the shape of a boat as a thank you
for saving their lives.
The outside represents sails and rigging, whilst inside, the highly unusual underside of a boat towers above the congregation.
Worth a Visit
You may find larger and more impressive chrches on your travel within
Spain, but the church represents the hearts and prayers of so many in
Javea. The church is located just behind the port. From the main
promenade you can cross the road to the small array of shops behind the
Miramar hotel and then across the pedestrian crossings up to a small
pedestrian area behind the first line of shops. About forty metres up
the hill the church can be found to the left.
