Co-cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari

One of the most interesting religious buildings in Alicante is the Co-Cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari, a beautiful church in the Herrerian Mannerist style.

The present church was built around the 17th century; little remains of the earlier medieval church, built on the remains of an ancient mosque. The exterior appears austere and spartan but overcome your hesitation and enter the interior: you will find it much more graceful and elegant.

The church dedicated to St Nicholas of Bari in Alicante is one of the seats of the Orihuela-Alicante diocese, hence the name co-cathedral.

Located right in the centre of Alicante, the Co-Cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari is within easy walking distance and definitely worth a visit.

Visit the Co-Cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari

Don’t hesitate to go inside the Co-cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Bari in Alicante: the interior is really beautiful.

During your visit pay particular attention to:

• Façade: the sober façade of the cathedral clearly bears the signs of a 15th-century cloister, which testifies to the existence of an earlier medieval church.
• Retable of St. Nicholas: a gilded and polychromed wooden altarpiece made in 1675-76 by sculptor José Villanueva.
• Retable of Our Lord Jesus Christ: altarpiece located in the second chapel on entering the church on the left. Of unknown author, it is the oldest Baroque retable conserved in the province of Alicante.
• Retable of Saint Raphael: another altarpiece in gilded and polychromed wood, made in the 17th century.
• Christ of Good Death: also known as El Cristo dels Flares del Rosari, it may have been made by an Italian artist.
• Chapel of Communion: its construction began in 1699 and is considered one of the finest examples of late Spanish Baroque.

Where to stay near the Co-Cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari

The Co-Cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari is located right in the centre of Alicante, just south of Plaza del Carmen and east of Rambla de Mendez Nunez. Which is why for sleeping you will be spoilt for choice! In the block in which the church is located, formed by Calle de San Nicolás, Calle Miguel Soler, Calle Llauradors and Calle San Pascual, there are between 10 and 15 lodgings, all practically flats. The general rule in Alicante is that, with the exception of the waterfront area, almost all accommodation in the city is private flats or holiday homes.

Remember, however, that the Co-cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari is in a privileged location, a 5-minute walk from the Explanada de Espana, the Playa del Postiguet and the Barrio de Santa Cruz, so whichever accommodation you choose, you can be sure that you will never be too far away.

How to get to the Co-Cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari

The Co-cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari is located in Plaza del Abad Penalva, a small square in the centre of Alicante. You can get there comfortably by referring to Rambla de Mendez Nunez: with the sea behind you, turn right into the narrow Calle Miguel Soler and walk along it until the square with the church opens up before you.

In the immediate vicinity of Calle Miguel Soler, along Rambla de Mendez Nunez, bus numbers 8, 10, 13 and L21 also stop.