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Apparently, the name of Altea would come from the Greek Altahia, which means "I heal". Vestiges have been found in the Iberian and Roman term.



During the last phase of Muslim rule, Altea belonged to the Denia taifa. It was conquered in 1244 by Jaime I of Aragon and repopulated with Christians, obtaining a populace letter in 1279.

Typical street of the old town



In 1705 the Anglo-Dutch squad that supported Archduke Carlos of Austria, led by the Valencian general Juan Bautista Basset, landed in the Bay of Altea, within the framework of the War of Succession, which favored the subsequent capture by the Austrocists of Denia and Valencia. The 18th century marked an agricultural, fishing, commercial and demographic boom, ending the century with 5,000 inhabitants. During the 19th century, official and commercial life moved towards the urban nucleus near the sea.



Economy



The main economic sector of the municipality is tourism; not in vain, it is thanks to him that its population has multiplied since the 60s.



In addition, it should also be noted that, due to the increase in population that we have mentioned, the second source of income for the municipality is construction.



Finally, we will place agriculture (medlar and orange) and fishing as the third source of income.

Monuments and places of interest [edit]

Street in the old town, with the church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo in the background.



It preserves a part of the municipal farmhouse, with the remains of a castle and the church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo. Beach, promenade and port are the main attributes of this tourist town. In addition, Altea has the honor of being described by important personalities (such as artists, politicians, singers, etc.) of being one of the most beautiful towns on the Costa Blanca, and in Spain in general. It also has an important sample of crafts.



Carmelitas Descalzas Monastery Church. Pot. 50 years of Presence in Altea.



Torre de la Galera. Declared a Site of Cultural Interest.



Bellaguarda Tower. An old watchtower, it is currently located next to a picturesque park, in the Bellaguarda neighborhood (the oldest neighborhood in current Altea).



Parish Church of Nª Sra. Del Consuelo. The main church of Altea is the best known, thanks to its two domes that delight the sight of all tourists, as well as being the Altea emblem par excellence and they are called ´´the dome of the Mediterranean´´ for their beauty and splendor.



Ancient town. Next to the Iglesia del Consuelo, is the old town, popularly known as the fornet. This is one of the most beautiful areas of the city of Altea. You will be able to enjoy the many viewpoints that are found, since it is located on top of a hill. As well as, being able to enjoy a pleasant evening dining in one of the many restaurants that are found here or simply have a drink enjoying the culture of a fishing village, which Altea preserves so well with its white houses, its flowers and its cobbled streets. .



Altea Palace. Alteano cultural and congress center. In this building you can admire anything from a Picasso engraving to being able to enjoy a magnificent opera at the hands of the soprano Ainhoa Arteta, through a play or simply accompanying the artist Julio Iglesias, in one of her concerts.



Promenade. Place where you can stroll, enjoying a pleasant sea breeze, in one of the many terraces that are in it, as well as restaurants and pizzerias.



Beaches. Altea has more than 6 km of coastline in which cliff areas and small coves alternate with stretches of beach on flat terrain. Among which stand:



Pot. La Olla has an old tradition as a summer resort from the beginning of the century. In front of the Pot, the ´´Isleta´´ emerges from the sea, a small island 500 m from the beach that, like a large conch that rises from the water, attracts sailors to admire the beauties of this corner. When it is colder in this part of town there is a place on this beautiful beach where the water starts to boil, hence the name.



Cliff next to Campomanes´ port.



Cap Negret. Gravel and clean waters, very popular for its tranquility. Its name comes because in one of the beaches of this part of the town `` gure-caiola '' where there are a large number of volcanic rocks under the rocks of the ministo peculiarly one has head shape and since volcanic rocks are black hence the name.



The Mascarat. Under the imposing Sierra de Bernia, is this enclave. Here is the Campomanes Sports Port. El Mascarat, is adjacent to the neighboring city of Calpe.



The Roda. It is the busiest beach, since it is located in the urban area of ​​Altea.



Cap Blanch. The largest beach in Altea, it increases considerably in width until it joins the Albir beach, which already belongs to the municipality of Alfaz del Pi.







Parties



Altea is a continuous party. Throughout the year, each game and / or neighborhood in Altea honors its patron.



In February, there are the Moors and Christians Midyear festivities ("Mig Any") in honor of San Blas and those of Cristo de la Salud in Altea la Vella. In June, it is the turn of the festivities in honor of the Holy Trinity in the Bellaguarda neighborhood, San Antonio («Sant Antoni») in Cap Blanch and San Juan («Sant Joan») in the fornet neighborhood (old town old). In July, the seafaring festival takes place in honor of San Pedro ("Sant Pere") and the Virgen del Carmen, which is continued by San Jaime ("Sant Jaume") in Cap Blanch and that of Santa Ana in Altea la Vella.



August begins with the festival of San Roque ("Sant Roc"), at the departure of the garden (l´horta) which is followed by the festivities of San Lorenzo ("Sant Llorenç") in which a castle of fireworks where it is fired even from floating platforms in the sea. This party is part of the game of La Olla ("l´Olla"). San Isidro ("Sant Isidre") and San Luis ("Sant Lluís") also take place in the month of August.



In September they are those of Santo Tomás and, as the culmination of the end of summer, the fourth weekend of September, the Patron Saint Festivities in honor of Cristo del Sagrario accompanied by the Moors and Christians festival. To end the year, in December, the Santa Bárbara festivities are celebrated in the game of Sogay and La Purísima in Altea la Vella.

Refuge of artists

View of an old town street



In the Valencian Community, light, sun and adventure are born every day. A light that has managed to capture like no one artists of the stature of the painter Benjamin Palencia, who spent his last years in the small Alicante town of Altea, one of the most beautiful corners of this part of the Mediterranean. And an adventure, well rooted in the customs and traditions of these lands, as narrated in many of his novels by the great writer Vicente Blasco Ibáñez.

The «queen» of the Marina Baja

Altea is one of the most beautiful corners of the 500 kilometers of the Levantine coast. For years it was a refuge for painters, sculptors and potters. Almost all year round it is enjoyed in the area of ​​a spring climate.

Rafael Calvete



Altea has been known for years as an artists' paradise, since here poets, singers, painters, sculptors and potters have always sought refuge from all over the world such as Eberhard Schlotter or well-known Spaniards such as Marisol, Rafael Alberti, Vicente Blasco Ibáñez Francisco, Josh Rouse ... Its streets slowly descend towards the sea, and the small town houses, whitewashed since its construction, make it an optimal place for vacation rest, as well as for the retirement of many retirees who have found in Altea a true paradise.



On the seashore is its fishing port and the marina, better known as Club Náutico de Altea. Next to them, the Mediterranean, almost always quiet in these parts. And as you might expect, very close to this point is the recently expanded Paseo Marítimo, which stretches from the port to the old fishing village, flooded with shops, cafes and restaurants with summer terraces. Its street market is one of the most popular on the entire Costa Blanca.

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