Altea

Altea (Valencian: [alˈtea], Spanish: [alˈtea]) is a city and municipality located in the province of Alicante, Spain, north of Alicante on the section of Mediterranean coast called the Costa Blanca.

For other uses, see Altea (disambiguation).
Altea
Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms
Altea
Location in Spain
Altea
Altea (Valencian Community)
Altea
Altea (Spain)
Coordinates: 38°35′55″N 0°3′7″W
Country Spain
Autonomous community Valencian Community
ProvinceAlicante
ComarcaMarina Baixa
Government
 • MayorJaume Llinares Cortés (2019) (Compromís)
Area
 • Total34.43 km2 (13.29 sq mi)
Elevation
61 m (200 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total21,995
 • Density640/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Alteà
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
03590
Official language(s)Valencian
WebsiteOfficial website

At present, the economy of Altea is based on tourism, which started to grow in the 1950s because of its good weather, beaches and the labyrinthine streets with whitewashed house-fronts that characterize the town. Altea is protected on the north by the bluffs of the Serra de Bèrnia, creating an especially mild microclimate. Its seafront esplanade is planted with palms.

History

The Iberian coastal settlements at the mouth of the Algar river in the wide Bay of Altea were later joined by a Greek marketplace, named Althaia.[2]

During the Moorish domination the land around Altea belonged to the Taifa of Dénia until it was recaptured by the Christians in 1244 under James I of Aragon. The town was quickly fortified, and walls were erected to enclose what is now known as the "old town" outsiders.

Main sights

This maze of cobbled narrow and crooked streets with glimpses of the bay is one of the better features of the town. Other sights include the church of La Mare de Déu del Consol ("Our Lady of Solace"), easily identifiable by its picturesque blue and white domes, tiled with glazed ceramics. There are numerous quaint restaurants near the church, some with a view over the Mediterranean. Note that, if visiting by car, you will need to park several blocks away from the church area as the immediately surrounding area is either off limits to cars and/or the streets are so narrow and steep (or have stairs) that cars cannot pass.

  • A street of Altea by night
  • La Mare de Déu del Consol
  • Streets of Altea

Education

Altea shares a campus of the University Miguel Hernández.

Twin towns - sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Spain

Altea is a founding member of the Douzelage, a unique town twinning association of 24 towns across the European Union. This active town twinning began in 1991 and there are regular events, such as a produce market from each of the other countries and festivals.[3][4] Discussions regarding membership are also in hand with three further towns (Agros in Cyprus, Škofja Loka in Slovenia, and Tryavna in Bulgaria).

Altea, Spain - 1991
Bad Kötzting, Germany - 1991
Bellagio, Italy - 1991
Bundoran, Ireland - 1991
Granville, France - 1991
Holstebro, Denmark - 1991
Houffalize, Belgium - 1991
Meerssen, the Netherlands - 1991
Niederanven, Luxembourg - 1991
Preveza, Greece - 1991
Sesimbra, Portugal - 1991
Sherborne, United Kingdom - 1991
Karkkila, Finland - 1997-2016
Oxelösund, Sweden - 1998
Judenburg, Austria - 1999
Chojna, Poland - 2004
Kőszeg, Hungary - 2004
Sigulda, Latvia - 2004
Sušice, Czech Republic - 2004
Türi, Estonia - 2004
Zvolen, Slovakia - 2007
Prienai, Lithuania - 2008
Marsaskala, Malta - 2009
Siret, Romania - 2010
Rovinj, Croatia - 2016
Asikkala, Finland - 2016

References
  1. Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. Althaia, with an implication of curative power, was the name of several nymphs in Greek mythology, and of the mother of Meleager.
  3. "Douzelage.org: Home". www.douzelage.org. Archived from the original on 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  4. "Douzelage.org: Member Towns". www.douzelage.org. Archived from the original on 2009-04-06. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
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