Church of Santa Maria del Consol (Altea)

The Church of Santa Maria del Consol, with its domes covered in blue and white tiles, stands on the hilltop of Altea's old town. The present building dates from 1901–1910 and is the natural goal of a walk up the steep lanes between whitewashed houses. The square in front of the church offers views over the sea.

A church on the hilltop of Altea's old town with distinctive blue tiled domes, visible from many parts of town. The first church here was built in 1607–1617 and incorporated into the town's defences, but it was later neglected. The present church was built in 1901–1910 to designs by the brothers Adrián and Julio Vela Gadea, and it was consecrated on 18 September 1910. Its style sits between modernisme and neoclassicism, and it has a Latin-cross plan. The dome is covered in blue and white ceramic tiles, a typical feature of architecture in eastern Spain. Inside, white walls contrast with gilded Baroque-style floral decoration. The church holds wooden figures including the Cristo del Sagrario and Our Lady of Consolation, its patroness; the present image of Our Lady dates from 1941 and replaced one destroyed during the Civil War. The square in front of the church was enlarged in the early 20th century when older buildings were cleared, and, according to reviews, there are restaurants on and around the square. It's the natural goal of a walk through the quiet, well-kept old town with its white houses and cobbled lanes. Visitors recommend looking inside (paintings, sculptures, a small museum) and the sea viewpoints right next to it. One visitor notes that the way up is steep, which can be hard for people with limited mobility. Some visitors park at the bottom, near the railway station or at the Foietes car park, and walk up from there. According to one visitor, the lanes around the church are home to many art studios and galleries. One visitor adds that the view from the square is especially lovely at night.