Basilica Santa Maria, Alicante is emblematic of the history of the city. It was built in Valencian Gothic style from the 14th to the 16th century on the site of a 9th century mosque. In our travels from the Yucatan in Mexico to Puglia in Italy, we saw similar Catholic churches built by the conquerers where Incan temples and Muslim mosques once stood. In many cases the scattered stone foundations of the original structure became part of the foundation of their replacement.
Medieval, Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, Rococo and Baroque styles coexist in the architecture and art of the church. The earliest structure is a central nave with its Gothic pointed arches and dramatic ribbed vaults. Later side chapels were added with the rounded arches in Romanesque style.
The decorative art in the Basilica is primarily Rococo with layered renderings of religious and spiritual symbols incorporating golden angels with intertwining floral designs surrounding Renaissance saints.
But some artistic contrasts can be found in the side altars.
In the chancel surrounding the back and sides of the main altar we found sanctuary in the “choir.”
Created to provide a space where the music of voices is worship. For me this room embodied spirituality. By the wooden door is a quote from St. Augustine, “He who sings, prays twice.”
MedFlies 