Walk Through The White Gem - Altea

It's Wednesday again. The magical middle of the workweek, so why not see some magic today? Admittedly, one would say it is nothing magical, just an ordinary small town on the Mediterranean coast. Ordinary houses with ordinary inhabitant; Yet many see this city as a gem that radiates magical charm.

I see it that way too. A white jewel on the shores of the blue sea, sunlit by the eternal sun, which gives us such beautiful weather even in winter. Over twenty degrees Celsius these days, don't give me peace. I walk somewhere outside all the time. When I leave the apartment, after a few minutes I am already on the promenade, and walking by the sea, in less than half an hour I am in the centre of that beautiful town where I take you today: Altea.

When you climb the old part of the city, up the stairs, the journey goes back in time. The streets are narrow, of course as in most coastal settlements. The structure of the city, which dates back to the Renaissance, gives us the impression that people used to be able to live without vehicles. The narrow streets are intended only for pedestrians, and maybe some donkey found its path there.

Stairs up, down, narrow streets, sea view, you would think that’s all. But there is also a church, Nuestra Señora Del Consuelo, with its characteristic blue dome.

Just a few steps from the church, there is a small square, from where there is a beautiful view.

Adorned with some metal sculptures, of which there are many more on the seashore, this is a place where many come to immortalize their visit to Altea.

Many, yes. But not now that we're in lockdown. Almost no one was on the streets. No people, tourists, no laughter, no open business, restaurant or bar.

The only thing is the silence and the sound of the sea waves and a light breeze.

I came across a house, with the inscription Cervantes. Here is what this board says about the house:

Fachada Casa Cervantes: Casa ecléctica casticista de principios del siglo XX, con elementos neomudéjares de tres plantas cuya fachada, simétrica, se muestra encalada. En el centro se abre la puerta de acceso remarcada por pilastras, dintel y arco de medio punto de descarga. En el tímpano se ubica un medallón con el retrato de un caballero engolado con la inscripción “CERVANTES”, que da nombre a la casa. A ambos lados de la puerta se abren sendas ventanas geminadas con arquillos de medio punto sobre parteluz. En la planta primera, se abren dos balcones adintelados adornados con arcos lobulados y, sobre la puerta, un adorno central enmarcado. Remata el edificio una galería de arquillos a la aragonesa y un potente alero de carnes de madera. Perteneció en los últimos años a la familia Olcina.

Traduction to English:

Casa Cervantes Facade: An eclectic house from the early 20th century, with neo-Mudejar elements on three floors, the symmetrical façade of which is whitewashed. In the centre, there is an access door marked by pilasters, lintel and a half-point discharge arch. On the tympanum, there is a medallion with the portrait of a knight beaded with the inscription "CERVANTES", which gives the house its name. On both sides of the door, there are twin windows with semicircular arches on mullions. On the first floor, there are two ornate balconies adorned with lobed arches and, above the door, a framed central ornament. The building is crowned by a gallery of arches in the Aragonese style and powerful eaves of wooden meat. In recent years it belonged to the Olcina family.

(This information is published in the Altea Guide by J. Miguel del Rey)

One of the gates (of two) that remained from mid-eighteenth century.

Musicians. A decoration on the wall of one house..

Few streets further, there is an interestiong board, wtih a poem written by F. Martínez Orozco

Turista, tú que curioso,
recorres nuestro planeta,
detente y sube a esta plaza
que es la diadema de Altea.
Y desde la balconada
del borde de su meseta,
veras un campo de Edén
que cerca la esbelta Bernia
y creerás ver del cielo
un trocito, aquí, en la tierra.
Tal vez te canse el subir
¡pero bien vale la pena!

The traduction would be something like this

Tourist, you how curious,
you travel our planet,
stop and go up to this square
which is the diadem of Altea.
And from the balcony
from the edge of its plateau,
you will see a field of Eden
that close the slender Bernia
and you will think you see from the sky
a little piece, here, on earth.
Maybe you get tired of going up
But well worth it!

I hope you liked this walk through the old part of Altea with me. This was my #WednesdayWalk brought here to the blockchain. Enjoy, smile and share a good moment with us.