Church of San Pedro y San Pablo

What it is

The church of San Pedro y San Pablo is the largest building in the village, built in the 18th century inside the walled enclosure, at its western end. Its stone façade closes off the main street and is the best place to understand the layout of the village. The official guide does not publish visiting hours for the interior: if it is open, go in; if not, the walk is worthwhile anyway.

History

The church was blessed in 1775, a few years after some 300 people of Genoese origin arrived on the island in 1770, former captives ransomed by the Crown in the time of Charles III, who had lived on the Tunisian island of Tabarka. The walled citadel of San Pablo was built for them, a project driven by the Count of Aranda as part of the new Enlightenment settlements. The church is one of its most representative buildings and one of those that organise the layout of the village.

What it is like

It has a rectangular plan, with a single nave and the canonical east-to-west orientation. The portico and the large windows are Baroque in inspiration, with curves and warped surfaces. It is worth walking round it: from its sides you can see how the straight streets of the enclosure fit between the walls.

On the walk

It is stop 7 on the Monumental Trail suggested by Alicante City Council: 1,575 metres, about two hours and easy difficulty. It leaves the harbour, passes the Nueva Tabarca Museum, the San Rafael Gate, Plaza de Carloforte, the San Miguel Gate and, after the church, the Princesa bastion, the San Gabriel Gate, Plaza Mayor and the Governor's House, now a hotel, before ending at the beach. In Plaza Mayor, look at the four cistern wells at the corners. If you only have time for one walk, combine the church with the walls and the San Rafael Gate.