Spanish word

ermita

Pronunciation

IPA/eɾˈmita/

Meaning

  • feminine nounchapel

Example

Visitamos la ermita en la colina.

We visited the chapel on the hill.

Illustration for ermita (chapel)

More examples

¿Hay misas en la ermita los domingos?

Are there masses in the chapel on Sundays?

Core concept

Small roadside or hilltop chapel for local devotion.

Common phrases

  • misa en la ermita

    mass in the chapel

  • ruinas de la ermita

    chapel ruins

Similar words

iglesia: Community church serving a parish, hosting routine worship and religious gatherings.
capilla: Compact worship space or interior chapel for ceremonies and quiet devotion.
santuario: Venerated religious site with special significance that draws pilgrims and devotional visitors.

Definition in Spanish

Edificio religioso muy pequeño, a veces junto a un camino o en una cumbre, usado para devoción local o como punto de referencia.

Word origin

From Greek erēmítēs 'hermit' via Late Latin erēmīta, originally meaning a hermit's dwelling that developed into a small chapel.

Usage tips

  • Often named as la ermita de + place or saint and used in local devotions or pilgrimages, so it usually denotes a rural shrine rather than a parish church.

Other meanings

  • hermitagenoun

Word lists with this word