The San Nicolás Cathedral is one of Alicante’s most impressive buildings. Built in the 17th century, it is also considered to be one of the best instances of Spanish Baroque architecture in the country. Despite its accolades, the church is relatively simple and visiting here is a quiet, meditative experience. Today, the cathedral still serves as the seat for a Roman Catholic bishop. The people of Alicante believe it to be one of their most important religious sites.
Don’t be surprised if you miss the church the first few times you pass it. Blending seamlessly into the buildings that surround it, the church can be difficult to recognise. Above a small square, the cream-stone walls of the church stand modestly on a narrow Old Town street. Inspect the wall more closely to see intricate carvings on the stones and ornate Baroque decorations around the cathedral’s main doorway.
Enter the brightly lit interior. The white walls seem to give off light, lending the church a luminescence that you don’t expect from old buildings. The large blue dome is the church’s most recognisable feature and measures 45 metres (148 feet) in height. The dome illuminates the whole church from above the nave.
Check the schedule for mass times that are posted in front of the cathedral to attend a service in this beautiful building. If you are visiting outside of service hours, explore the small chapels next to the nave and inspect the ornamental altar dedicated to the church’s title saint. Notice the marble steps leading up to the altar, which were constructed from stone mined in Genoa in Italy.
Reach San Nicolas Cathedral on foot, since parking can only be found outside of the Old Town and trams only serve the general area. Entry is free. Check the opening hours posted out the front of the church. Visiting hours can vary because of mass times and breaks during the lunch period.
