Església de Santa Maria de Gràcia (Church of Santa Maria de Gràcia), Ibiza

The Church of Santa Maria de Gràcia, also known as the Church of l'Hospitalet (Església de l’Hospitalet), is an emblematic historical and architectural landmark located in the Dalt Vila historical quarter of Ibiza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church was built on the site of a former medieval hospital known as the Hospital of Arrabal. This hospital, dating back to 1410, housed a chapel dedicated to Mary Full of Grace and was funded by Universitat, a local government body of medieval Ibiza.

Following the abolition of the Universitat Government at the end of the 17th century, the hospital was closed. The Bishop of Tarragona, Josep Mora, ordered the construction of a new grand church, which was completed in 1708. The church's architecture combines Baroque and Neoclassical elements, owing to significant restorations carried out in the 18th century. Its layout follows a Latin-cross floor plan with a single rectangular nave, a transept, and side chapels on the left side, while the right side contains niches. The nave is topped with a semi-spherical dome supported by pendentives, adorned with the ducal coat of arms.

The whitewashed exterior of the church is characterized by its simplicity and features a notable rose window. Two Baroque-style entrance doorways give access to the interior. The belfry, added in the 17th century, houses three bells: Santa María de Gràcia (affectionately known as “Tin”), Santa Beatriz (no longer in use), and Nuestra Señora de la Salud (“Tan”). In 1889, a clock was installed in the bell tower through the financial support of the local community.

Inside, the church features a barrel vault nave, frescoes, and a main chapel with a balcony and grille-formerly a reserved area for the Counts of Gelves, enabling them to attend mass in a privileged setting. The church now serves not only as a place of worship but also as a cultural venue for modern art exhibitions related to Ibiza’s artistic heritage.

The Church of Santa Maria de Gràcia stands as a testament to Ibiza's rich historical and architectural evolution, blending religious significance with cultural and artistic expression.