Althea, Spain - a snow-white corner of paradise

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Spain is an amazing and unique country. Homeland of bullfighting, flamenco, ancient castles and buildings. Unearthly beauty beaches with white sand and blue sea, amazing combinations of tastes of traditional cuisine and ingenious authors of fine art - all this is only a small part of the culture of this country. Having visited Spain, none of its advantages should be missed. The country of sun and fun is famous for its resorts, comfortable and beautiful beaches. One of the corners of paradise can rightly be called the city of Altea. Spain is undoubtedly proud of such a small but quite popular place.

History of the city

Like the rest of the Mediterranean, the area of Altea has been inhabited by people since before our era. Over the course of many centuries, the owners of the coastal lands changed, until the eighth century of our time, the territory was first inhabited by the Iberians, then the Visigoths, until everything came under the possession of the Islamic empire. In 1244, the city was recaptured by King Jaime of Aragon, and only in 1279 did he receive hisofficial status and completely passed under the control of Spain. Today, Altea is located on the most popular coast of the country - the Costa Blanca, and is a fairly popular tourist town. The main part is located at the foot of the mountain, and the Old Town occupies the upper part. Once an ordinary fishing town selling fresh catch, today Altea is part of the province of Alicante and is part of the autonomous community of Valencia.

About the name

It is a common misconception to translate the name of the city as "he alth for all" or "I heal", mistakenly believing that it comes from the Greek "Altahia". However, the origin of the name of the city has nothing to do with this word, and in the Spanish sources this word is not mentioned anywhere. In fact, the name comes from the ancient Greek "Althaia", which translates as "I pray." There are also versions of the origin from the Arabic and Spanish languages \u200b\u200b"attalaya" and "atalaya", meaning "watchtower", several ruins of which, by the way, are located in the city.

Features of Altea

The population of the town of Altea is not so great. Spain is considered one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, but it is in Altea that you can feel a little freedom and enjoy the space, because only 25 thousand people live there. The glory of the city was brought by its unusual appearance, among the people it was nicknamed "the snow-white corner of paradise", and this is not surprising. Almost all the houses are painted in a snow-white color that dazzles in the sun, and the wholethe ensemble completes the main symbol of the city, located on a hill, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a bright blue dome. All houses, by the way, are of a very small height, since it is forbidden to build more than four floors.

Another feature of the city is the passion of its inhabitants for art, even the Faculty of Fine Arts from the University of Miguel Hernandez in Elche has been opened on the territory. Tourists have the opportunity to enrich themselves culturally through numerous galleries, exhibitions and theaters. Despite the uniform life and architecture preserved from ancient times, the city is not deprived of modern buildings either. At the entrance to the city, modern offices, expensive boutiques with clothes are striking, but all this is only on the surface, its inner part remains true to itself.

City attractions

The main place of pilgrimage for tourists and locals is the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Barefoot Carmelites Monastery, located in the La Hoya quarter. It is not a historical monument, as it was built a little more than half a century ago, but, nevertheless, it is quite popular in the city of Altea, Spain. The photos that tourists bring with them from vacation often depict the only Orthodox church of the Archangel Michael in the whole country, located in Altea. It was built with the money of the Russian-speaking residents of the city in a very beautiful and picturesque place. "Palau Altea" is a place that is also interesting for tourists in the city of Altea, Spain. Attractions usually lure with their history, but this city building is popularfor other reasons. It hosts art evenings: art exhibitions, concerts, theatrical, including opera, performances and much more. The embankment is no less popular, where tourists gather in the evenings, shops with souvenirs work, and the lights of the night city are lit.

Old City

Its charm lies in the narrow streets, which are so exciting to wander around, looking at the architecture and looking into random shops. Since it is located on the top of a mountain and rises above the entire city, special viewing platforms were equipped in it, from where a magnificent view of the sea opens. In small shops along the way, you can successfully purchase artfully handmade items. Of course, it is quite difficult to overcome numerous steps and climb up under the scorching sun, so it is best to explore the Old Town in the late afternoon. At this time, from there you can enjoy the sunset, evening lights, dine with traditional cuisine, and at the end of the path, climbing higher and higher, run into the famous church.

Local legends

Locals sometimes like to sit on warm evenings and share stories and myths about their hometown with tourists. One such legend tells of an enchanted pear tree and its owner, Aunt Miseriya. Her name translates as "beggar woman", which she was. She lived in a cave in front of which grew a tree with pear fruits. She fed on them, and also on what fell from the citycitizens. Everyone knows about the stories when the saints put on the clothes of travelers or the poor to test people for kindness or to convict of evil. The story of the old woman was no exception, once she was visited by Saint Antonio, who was very pleased with the hospitality of the one that she herself had practically nothing. In gratitude, he rewarded her with the gift she asked of him: the ability to punish any thief who climbed her tree to steal pears. Until she gave permission, no one could get down from the tree. It so happened that the cunning old woman managed to drive death itself onto a tree, which came for her, but then let go, taking from her a promise that she would come for her only when she herself asked for it. Legend has it that if you find a pear tree in the city of Altea, Spain, then most likely that same woman lives next to it.

Althea Hotels

Quite a lot of hotels have been built in the city, because a large influx of tourists begins in the season. One of the most popular is the Abaco Altea hotel, although the tourists who rested there note that it doesn’t look like a hotel at all, but rather like a big house with friendly owners. Guests also call it authentic, with a touch of romance, and incredibly hospitable. No less famous is the five-star hotel "Biya Gadea" due to its large territory and internal infrastructure in the town of Altea, Spain. Hotels compete with each other every year, because the city is small, but these two hotels have received the most pleasant reviews. Not so famous hotels "Tossal"d'Altea", "La Serena" and "San Miguel", but also their customers note the pleasant environment and service. It is worth noting the Altea Hills Hotel (Spain) as a quiet and comfortable place to stay.

Weather for the whole year

As in any other city on the Mediterranean coast, the season in the city begins in May and ends in September. These months of the year are considered the warmest and most suitable for swimming in the sea and relaxing on the beach. Summer is very hot, the temperature rises to 35 degrees, but the nights are cool. Due to the sea, the climate is humid, so high temperatures are felt much easier, especially when you can escape the heat in the pleasant coolness of the sea. In the city of Altea (Spain) in May and September it is not crowded, there is no stuffiness and heat. It's almost the perfect time to relax. In winter, the temperature does not fall below 15 degrees. Although you can’t swim and sunbathe, this is a great opportunity to wait out the harsh Russian winter in pleasant conditions: there are no tourists, and the prices are lower than in the season. Most of the hotels are closed, but some remain open all year round. The weather in Altea (Spain) never ceases to delight tourists all year round.

Reviews from vacationers

Many tourists tend to cover several cities during their vacation, try to see as many sights as possible, visit different places. But each of those who had a point on the map in the town of Altea in their travel route will definitely not forget to express their delight from this place. Despite the small territory, it is not possible to explore all the surroundings at once.no one succeeds, and each time, returning back, you can discover something new. Most tourists, of course, are satisfied after visiting the city of Altea, Spain. Reviews are mostly full of kind and pleasant words, many people like the calmness and uniformity that reigns in this place. At the same time, there are those who did not like the quiet life and the lack of entertainment, but here you can’t please everyone. It is important to remember that you can find out about any place in advance. Altea is designed for a relaxing and family vacation and is ideal for traveling with children. At night, there is no music and no crowd noise, so vacationers are provided with a peaceful sleep and a pleasant rest.