Description of the attraction
In the Plaza de la Iglesia, at the top of the Old Town of Altea, is the beautiful Church of Our Lady of Consuelo. The first church with this name on the site of the current temple appeared in 1617. It was built in the Renaissance style. That temple had one nave with side chapels. The roof was devoid of the transept and dome. The bell tower was located to the right of the central portal.
That ancient temple, built of stone, was much smaller than the current Church of Our Lady of Consuelo. From an architectural point of view, it was not of particular interest. Therefore, the architect Adrian Vela Gadea, who was invited to build the new temple, almost completely destroyed it, retaining only a part of the northern wall. The old temple had to be dismantled, because it was so dilapidated that it could collapse on the heads of believers at any moment. Because of this, in the middle of the 19th century, construction began on the chapel of St. Christ of Altea, which was located southwest of the old church. In the future, the chapel became part of the transept of the new church. It is crowned with a dome covered with blue and white tiles.
In 1901, through the efforts of the priest D. Juan Bautista Cremades, a Council was created, whose task was to lead the construction of a new church. Then the old temple was demolished. A new church was erected on the site of the previous one. It was more spacious and majestic than the old sacred building.
The interior is decorated with sculptural compositions made by the sculptor Melinton Gomez.
A parish museum has been opened at the Church of Our Lady of Consuelo. Its exposition occupies two rooms.
