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Basilica of Santa María de Elche

Elx/Elche, El Baix Vinalopó, Alicante

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Spain › Valencian Community › Alicante › El Baix Vinalopó › Elx/Elche › Basilica of Santa María de Elche

Basilica of Santa María de Elche

Monument · Elx/Elche, El Baix Vinalopó, Alicante

The basilica of Santa María de Elche is a baroque temple built between 1672 and 1784, where every year, on 14 and 15 August, the Misteri d'Elx is performed, a choral work in old Valencian. The building combines different styles depending on its parts: the Italianate baroque of the main façade, the rococo of the other doorways and the ambulatory, and the neoclassical interior. Several architects took part in its construction, among them the Castellón-born Jaime Bort y Meliá, as well as Francisco Verde, Pedro Quintana and Ferrán Fouquet. On 20 February 1936, in the lead-up to the Civil War, it was partially destroyed by an arson fire, and was restored years later. Its bell tower offers panoramic views of the city and the Palmeral de Elche.

Photo: Zarateman (CC0)

What to see and do in Elx/Elche