Ermita de Betlem

Ermita de Betlem (Hermitage of Bethlehem) is situated in Arta’s Llevant mountains. These are the lands of the ancient Muslim farmhouse of Binialgorfa.

The hermitage was founded in 1805 by the hermits of Saint Honoratus of Randa and the Holy Trinity of Valldemossa. The lands were granted to the hermit community by Jaume Morei, whom set the condition that the hermitage had to be named Bethlehem and dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ.

The site contained an ancient watchtower and a flour mill and it was inaugurated on May 10, 1818. The complex was enlarged with cells, kitchen and other dependencies during the 20th century.

The church was built by Joan Rosselló and blessed in 1824, and one of the highlights of the site. the construction is designed in Neoclassical style, with a single nave. Its facade encompasses a sundial, a small window and a rosette.

Once inside the church, you will enjoy a fresco made by Francesc Parietti featuring the coronation of the Virgin and Manuel Bayeu’s seven scenes on the life of Jesus.

We find the remains of ancient orchards and other structures surrounding the complex, which allowed the self-sufficiency of the religious community. In 1966, Ermita de Betlem was connected to the electricity grit.

Do not miss the nearby Na Bernardeta fountain, which supplied with water the hermitage, and the remains of the ancient water mill dated from the 19th century found 50 meters away from the complex.

You gain access to Ermite de Betlem via a path framed by cypres trees.