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Church · Alicante, Comunidade Valenciana
Basílica de Santa María
Gothic 14th-century church built over the main mosque, with a Baroque light-stone façade, two unequal towers and a gilded Rococo main altar. It is the oldest church in Alicante.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Basílica de Santa María
The Basílica de Santa María stands at the foot of Monte Benacantil, in the old quarter, built on the site of the main mosque of Muslim Alicante. Gothic construction began in the 14th century, and the church is the oldest in the city still standing.
The main façade is Baroque, from the early 18th century, in light stone with an image of the Virgin at the top, between two towers of different heights: the older is from the 14th century, the other from the 18th. The square in front, Plaza de Santa María, is one of the old central squares.
The interior has a single Gothic nave, with side chapels between the buttresses. The main altar is Rococo, gilded wood, from the 18th century. In the baptism chapel there is a Carrara marble font from the Renaissance.
Next to the basilica is the MACA, the contemporary art museum, in a former 17th-century grain warehouse.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
20 to 30 minutes.
Best time
In the morning, combined with a visit to the castle and the MACA next door. Visiting hours are reduced because of masses; check.
How to get there
It is located on Plaza de Santa María, at the end of Calle Mayor, a 5-minute walk from the Explanada and the town hall.
Tip
See the façade from the square, then go inside to the gilded main altar. Combine it with the MACA in the same square and the streets of Santa Cruz, just above.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Basílica de Santa María
Is the Basilica of Santa María the cathedral of Alicante?
No. The cathedral, or co-cathedral, is San Nicolás de Bari. Santa María is the oldest church in the city.
Why are the towers different heights?
They were built in different periods: one in the 14th century and the other in the 18th century.
What is next to the basilica?
The MACA, Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art, in a 17th-century grain warehouse.