Monuments and historical buildings

Civil monuments

Castle of Santa Bárbara

Santa Barbara Castle is located on top of Mount Benacantil, at an altitude of 166 meters. It is one of Spain’s biggest medieval fortresses with views over the bay of Alicante. It is the city’s most iconic monument and has been declared of Cultural Interest. Experience the castle from the inside and enjoy a sea of ​​culture. Free admission.

The Town Hall

This baroque civil building was erected during the 18th century on the site of the former town hall. The main ornamental features that visitors always admire are the columns on the facade and the two towers. Inside there are several interesting rooms such as the Salón Azul, styled from the period of Spain’s Queen Isabel, the Salón de Plenos and a chapel in which mass can be held. At the foot of the main staircase of the building is the “Cota Cero”, which is used to measure altitude above sea level anywhere in Spain. Free admission.

The Carbonell House

Casa Carbonell stands at Number 1 on La Explanada de España, this is one of the most striking buildings in Alicante. Built by J. Vidal Ramos between 1922 and 1925, Casa Carbonell is said to have been constructed upon the orders of a textiles manufacturer from the nearby town of Alcoy, Enrique Carbonell. The building bears testimony to the wealth of the Alcoy textiles manufacturers during the time of World War One.

The Central Market

This construction has various elements of modernist inspiration. Built under the orders of J. Vidal Ramos between 1911 and 1912 on the site of the wall that surrounded Alicante in the 18th century.

Teatro Principal

Inaugurado en 1847, se trata del recinto teatral por excelencia. La fachada principal es de estilo neoclásico. El interior, realizado según la tipología italiana de la época, se divide en tres zonas claramente diferenciadas: el vestíbulo, la cávea con forma de herradura y el escenario.

Bullring (Plaza de Toros)

This is one of the oldest working bullrings in the Region of Valencia. Built in 1847 by Alicante architect Emilio Jover, it had to be completely renovated in 1884 due to serious deterioration. Its second architect, José Guardiola, took on this important project and added a second floor with stairs and independent adjacent accesses.

Other notable civil buildings

Alicante city has a long history and its civil buildings give a good account of this history. Come and discover the Provincial Council, the Casa de Brujas, the Maisonnave Palace, the Post Office,the ADDA Auditorium, the San Fernando Castle, the Portalet Palace, Las Cigarreras Contemporary Culture, the Torres de la Huerta, Civil War air-raid shelters.

Religious monuments

The Santa María Basilica

This is the oldest church in the city, dating back to the 14th century. It was built upon the ruins of Alicante’s largest mosque and has a single, non-cruciform nave with side chapels between the buttresses. Free admission.

The San Nicolás Co-Cathedral

Construction began on the San Nicolás Co-Cathedral in the year 1600, replacing a building that had stood there previously. It is built in the Herrerian renaissance style and is located in the heart of the city. Free admission.

The Santa Faz Monastery

In a baroque style, this monastery stands just five kilometres from the city limits, in the municipal district of the same name. It guards a relic that was brought over from The Vatican in the 15th century which, according to popular tradition, was the fabric with which Veronica dried the bleeding face of Jesus on the Way of the Cross. Free admission.

The Santa Cruz hermitage

The Hermitage of Santa Cruz is located on the hillside of Mount Benacantil, in the characteristic neighbourhood of Santa Cruz (the Holy Cross). Built on the remains of the medieval wall, the Cruces de Mayo festival takes place in its streets. On Holy Wednesday, one of the most picturesque processions of Alicante’s Holy Week leaves from here. Free admission.

The San Roque hermitage

Located in the San Roque District, this hermitage was built in the 16th century and was restored at the end of the 19th century. Free admission.

Do you want to discover more religious buildings?

Visitors will find true gems of religious architecture in Alicante. In the old town you can also discover the Convento de las Agustinas convent.