Ermita de Santa Ana facts for kids
The Ermita de Santa Ana, also known as the Chapel of Santa Ana, is a special building in Chiclana de la Frontera, a town in southwestern Spain. It is found in the province of Cádiz, which is part of Andalusia. This chapel sits on the highest hill in the city, giving it a great view of the area. It was built a long time ago, in the 1770s.
History and Design
The idea for the chapel came from two brothers, Francisco de Paula and José Manjón. They asked Torcuato Cayón de la Vega, a famous architect from Cadiz, to design it. Building the chapel was a bit tricky because the hill was used by the military. It was a very important spot for looking out over the land. After getting permission from the military, construction began in 1772 and finished in 1774.
The chapel has a unique look. Its entrance porch is shaped like a polygon. It has three round openings supported by pillars. The roof of the porch is a round dome, like half a sphere. This dome has four round windows that let light into the chapel. From the entrance, you can see the main town of Chiclana and the beautiful Bay of Cádiz. The chapel mixes different old building styles, including Byzantine, Mozarabic, and Neoclassical features.
Inside the Chapel
Inside the Ermita de Santa Ana, you will find a small shrine. This shrine holds a special sculpture. The sculpture shows Saint Anne with the Virgin Mary. It was created by Domingo Giscardi, an artist from Genoa who worked in Cadiz. The sculpture is placed in a special alcove, which is like a small, hollow space in the wall.
Visiting the Chapel
The chapel is open to visitors on Tuesdays. It is also open on July 26th each year. This date is important because it is the feast day of Santa Ana, a special celebration for Saint Anne.
