Javea Costa Blanca Spain

San Bartolome Church

Javea’s historic city centre is an example of good restoration practices and a neat architectural preservation project, with buildings dating back from medieval ages. Historians estimate that Javea was already a walled village in the 13^th century. In the 15^th century, the villa was enlarged. As a result, the wall was demolished and another was erected, with 3 large gates: San Vicent or Ferrería, Sant Jaume or Clot and Porta de la Mar.

The Mare de Déu de Loreto Church was built on the 16^th century near Porta de la Mar. The old church was demolished in 1870 and now, the Jardín de Loreto occupies its place.

In the 1870’s, many changes took place, such as the demolition of the walls and the enlargement of the city with more roads that promoted the social and economic growth of Javea. At that point, the Alicante and Principe de Asturias avenues were already built.

To date, you can still spot buildings in gothic style from the 15^th to 17^th centuries, thoroughly reconstructed. Some examples are Palau dels Sapena, Casa de Primícies, Casa de la Senyoreta Josefina, Casa Abadía, Casa de Montalbán, Casa de Tena and Casa dels Bolufer.

But in the list of historic buildings, one of them stands out: It is the Sant Bertomeu or San Bartolome church and fortress. This Elizabethan gothic edification was always a key point in Javea. In 1931, it was declared a national artistic monument. Underground, it is estimated to hide invaluable archaeological pieces.

You can also visit the Soler Blasco Archaeological and Ethnographic Town Museum, which was a palace in the 17^th century and was remodelled in the 19^th century.