Tour the ornate rooms lined with paintings by Alicante masters and peek into the chapel at this old municipal centre, where the city council still holds meetings.
The two 41-metre (165-foot) towers of Alicante’s historic Town Hall rise over the city’s Old Town. Built where the Casa de la Ciudad (town hall) once stood, the Alicante Town Hall (or Ayuntamiento), is one of the city’s landmark buildings. The interior, featuring two ornate rooms and a small chapel, is just as gorgeous as the façade. Tour the inside and notice the paintings by local artists that hang on the walls. Visit a permanent exhibition on archaeological digs that have happened in the region. This small museum is located in the newest part of the Town Hall along with the offices of the city council.
Don’t overlook the main staircase up to the Town Hall. It bears a visualisation of Spain’s topography. While the bottom of the staircase is at sea level, metal markers on various steps show the elevations of different Spanish cities as you ascend. The Blue Lounge lies at the top of the stairs. See its Isabelino-style decorations and find paintings by Padilla and Castello on the walls. Next door, the grand Salón de Plenos can be visited when it is not in use by the city council, which hosts regular meetings here. The richly decorated room has red-velvet carpet and crystal chandeliers. Continue on to the chapel, where you can attend one of the regular church services.
The intriguing exhibition, La Ciudad Descubierta (The Uncovered City), focuses on the archaeological digs of the Alicante area. Peruse rare photographs and drawings of the historical sites. Read about the ancient findings in either Spanish or English.
Located at the centre of Alicante’s Old Town, the Town Hall can be easily reached on foot from most attractions in town. Taxis are also an easy way to get around here, since they are numerous within the Old Town. Avoid driving to the Town Hall, because parking is limited and often expensive. The building is open daily, but the archaeological exhibition is closed on weekends. Both offer free entry.
