Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás de Bari

The co-cathedral San Nicolás de Bari, in Alicante

The co-cathedral San Nicolás de Bari is one of the most important churches of Alicante, dedicated to the patron saint of the town and built in the seventeenth century on the vestiges of a medieval temple. The Alicante audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary of Herrerian style with its austere sobriety, that shelters the magnificent chapel of the Communion and one of the oldest organs of Spain.

The sanctuary of the patron saint of the town

Here you are facing the co-cathedral San Nicolás de Bari, one of the most important churches of Alicante, named in honour of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of the town. It was built in the seventeenth century, on the vestiges of a medieval temple that already served as a parish in the thirteenth century, itself built on a former mosque. Its refined baroque style is what is called in Spain the Herrerian style, that corresponds to the last stage of the Spanish Renaissance. Its name comes from the architect Juan de Herrera, who had launched a fashion founded on geometric purity, and to whom the famous monastery of the Escorial is owed, the greatest building of the Renaissance in the world. The building you see was built on the plans of Agustín Bernardino, precisely a disciple of Herrera. And imagine that it is a co-cathedral: this term, quite rare, designates a church to which the Holy See has granted the rank of cathedral although it is not the seat of a diocese. Even if its exterior may seem austere, the interior deserves a contemplative visit: the chapel of the Communion is considered as one of the finest examples of Spanish baroque. The co-cathedral also keeps the reliquary of Santa Felicitas, the altarpiece of the Souls by Nicolás Borrás and the Christ of the Good Death by Nicolás de Bussi. Its organ, up high, dates from the sixteenth century: it is the largest and the oldest of the region of Valencia, and one of the oldest of Spain. During the Holy Week or the pilgrimage of the Santa Faz, it is here that the ceremonies are concentrated. A Herrerian co-cathedral and a place of fervour, San Nicolás de Bari is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, one of the main churches of Alicante, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint, and built in the seventeenth century in the Herrerian style on the vestiges of a medieval temple; inside, the chapel of the Communion, one of the finest examples of Spanish baroque, the reliquary of Santa Felicitas and an organ of the sixteenth century, one of the oldest of Spain. The co-cathedral San Nicolás de Bari is a sanctuary of Alicante. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The co-cathedral San Nicolás de Bari lies in the old town of Alicante, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect; entry and hours follow the conditions of the parish, which vary, and may be restricted during services. It is best to enquire before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Why is San Nicolás de Bari a co-cathedral in Alicante?

Because the Holy See has granted it the rank of cathedral although it is not the seat of a diocese, which the rare term of co-cathedral designates; dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of Alicante, it was built in the seventeenth century in the Herrerian style and shelters the chapel of the Communion and an organ of the sixteenth century, one of the oldest of Spain.

Where is the co-cathedral San Nicolás de Bari in Alicante?

In the old town of Alicante, in Spain.