Elche, Spain - Basílica de Santa María - Santa María Basilica

We got off the tour bus at the plaza near the Altamira Castle and slowly made our way to the Basilica.

Altamira Castle, also known as Alcázar de la Señoría, located next to the Municipal Park (which, in turn, is a part of the Elche Palm Grove) It was originally built in Almohad times (12th-13th centuries), and was later renovated with brick exterior in the 15th century. A former fortress, in 1913 it became a fabric plant, it has also been used as the town hall and as a prison during the Spanish Civil War, while today is home to the Elche Archaeology and History Museum (Museo Arqueológico y de Historia de Elche). (Source and more info)

MAHE (Museum of Archaeology and History of Elche) runs under the plaza. This opening, showing the old walls, is visible to us as we walk across the plaza.

Our next destination is the Basilica de Santa Maria.  It is the building across the plaza with the blue dome.

The Santa Maria Basilica is a beautiful church which holds the Mystery of Elche, which is considered a World Humanity Site. It takes place on Aug. 14 and 15 of every year, and is a theatrical presentation of the Assumption of the Virgin to heaven and her Coronation. This is a medieval mystery play and is the only one allowed to be performed in a Catholic Church, given a papal bull in 1632 by Pope Urban VIII. During the play the Virgin is brought up to heaven using ropes that bring the participant towards the false ceiling of the dome. The building is Baroque and dates from the 17th century. The facade is impressive, as is the main altar.

The done is a beautiful blue, and stands out even the sky is nearly as blue.

 The front entrance was under construction so we entered through the side door.  No fee is needed to enter the church.

The door was HUGE, and you can see that we use a small portion at the bottom.

 Inside, your eyes were instantly drawn to the front altar.

The gold gleamed and the wood was highly polished. It was beautiful.

There was a higher window with Santa Maria in it. I don't recall seeing this configuration in other churches.

Stained glass windows, high on the walls, surrounded the santuary.

Of note, if you are traveling in August, plan to stop in Elche for the "Misteri d'Elx" or the Mystery play of Elx.   (More info)

The Mystery Play of Elx (better known as Misteri d'Elx, in Valencian) is a sacral-lyrical medieval drama, dated from the 15th century, which was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2002. It is played every year in mid August, in the context of the local holidays dedicated to the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Also as a part of this celebration, on the 13th of August is the date of a celebration in Elche called Nit de l'Albà (Night of the Dawn) in which a city-wide night-long show of fireworks takes place.