Altea
| Altea | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipality | |||
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  Altea Location in Spain | |||
| Coordinates: 38°35′55″N 0°3′7″W / 38.59861°N 0.05194°W | |||
| Country |
 Spain | ||
| Autonomous community |
.svg.png){kind=small} Valencian Community | ||
| Province | Alicante | ||
| Comarca | Marina Baixa | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Jaume Llinares Cortés (2015) (Compromís) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 34.43 km2 (13.29 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 61 m (200 ft) | ||
| Population (2009) | |||
| • Total | 23,780 | ||
| • Density | 690/km2 (1,800/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Alteà | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 03590 | ||
| Official language(s) | Valencian | ||
| Website | Official website | ||
Altea (Valencian: [aɫˈtea], Spanish: [alˈtea]) is a town and municipality located in the province of Alicante, Spain, north of Alicante on the section of Mediterranean coast called the Costa Blanca.
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.[1]
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" from 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.
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A street of Altea by night
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La Mare de Déu del Consol
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Streets of Altea
Education
Altea shares a campus of the University Miguel Hernández.
Twin towns - sister cities
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.[2][3] 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.svg.png)
Houffalize, Belgium - 1991
Meerssen, the Netherlands - 1991
Niederanven, Luxembourg - 1991
Preveza, Greece - 1991
Sesimbra, Portugal - 1991
Sherborne, United Kingdom - 1991
Karkkila, Finland - 1997
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
References
- ↑ Althaia, with an implication of curative power, was the name of several nymphs in Greek mythology, and of the mother of Meleager.
- ↑ "Douzelage.org: Home". www.douzelage.org. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
- ↑ "Douzelage.org: Member Towns". www.douzelage.org. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Altea. |
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Altea. |
- Portaltea, Portal de Altea
- Altea-Info, Good Information-Guide of Altea - in German and English
- Douzelage: Altea
- Discover Alicante, Photo gallery of Altea
Municipalities of Marina Baixa | ||
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European Union: Members of the town twinning "Douzelage" | ||
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