Church of Saint Andrew

Church of Saint Andrew in Almoradí, a town in Spain's Valencia region, is the town's main Catholic church, standing on the Plaza de la Constitución at the heart of the historic centre. Known locally as the Iglesia de San Andrés, it is one of Almoradí's most recognizable landmarks and a direct link to one of the most dramatic chapters in the history of the Vega Baja del Segura.

What is the history behind the church?

The first church dedicated to Saint Andrew on this site dates back to 1732, standing a short distance southwest of today's building. On 21 March 1829, a powerful earthquake devastated the entire Vega Baja region, flattening much of Almoradí and destroying the original church along with it. Only the bells and the parish archive were rescued from the ruins; everything else had to be rebuilt from scratch.

Construction of the new church began near the site of its predecessor before the end of 1829. Engineer José Agustín de Larramendi drew up the reconstruction plans, Bishop Félix Herrero Valverde of the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante oversaw the works as superintendent, and Eugenio Fourdinier served as executive director of the project. It took more than thirty years for the tower to be finished: the final stone was laid in 1861, with the well-known Alicante architect Francisco Morell y Gómez responsible for that stage of the build.

Was the church finished in the 19th century?

Not entirely. A royal order dated 21 September 1894 saw the diocesan board put further repair works out to public tender, described at the time as an "extraordinary repair." Counting from the first work carried out after the 1829 earthquake, the whole project stretched across more than sixty-five years, a reflection of just how costly and complex rebuilding the church turned out to be.

Why does the church matter to Almoradí?

The Church of Saint Andrew is the largest and most important Catholic church in Almoradí. It has undergone several renovations over the decades, which have shaped the building visitors see today. Sitting right on the Plaza de la Constitución, in the middle of town, it serves as a natural point of reference for anyone exploring Almoradí, a small town set in the fertile Vega Baja del Segura valley in the province of Alicante.

What should visitors know before going?

The church remains an active parish, so modest dress and quiet behaviour are expected, particularly during services. Its tower, rebuilt after the 1829 earthquake, is one of the most identifiable features of the town's skyline. A visit pairs naturally with a walk through the historic centre around the Plaza de la Constitución, where much of Almoradí's everyday town life is concentrated.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the current church built? Construction started at the end of 1829, after the previous church was destroyed in the earthquake of 21 March that year. The tower was completed in 1861, and further repair works continued into the 1890s.

Did anything survive from the earlier church? Yes — the bells and the parish archive from the 1732 church were saved and survived the 1829 earthquake.

Who designed the church? Architect Francisco Morell y Gómez worked on the tower, while engineer José Agustín de Larramendi had drawn up the earlier reconstruction plans.

Where is the church located? On the Plaza de la Constitución in the centre of Almoradí, a town in the province of Alicante, in the Valencia region.