Església de la Mare de Déu de Gràcia, Alacant

Església de la Mare de Déu de Gràcia (in Spanish, Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Gracia) is a parish church in central Alicante, standing at Plaza de la Montañeta 7, close to the historic old town and the hill of Santa Bárbara castle.

What is the history behind this church?

The origins of the parish go back to the 16th century, during the reign of Ferdinand II of Aragon. The first church dedicated to Our Lady of Grace was built on the site of a former Franciscan monastery, which is why for centuries it was also known locally as Iglesia de San Francisco. The building stood at the foot of a small hill called La Montañeta — the same name now given to the square that occupies the spot, since the hill itself was leveled during later urban redevelopment.

Around the turn of the 20th century, Alicante went through rapid urban growth. The city center's population increased and taller apartment buildings began replacing older, lower structures, creating strong demand for a larger parish church to serve the growing neighborhood. Local authorities and the diocese eventually decided to rebuild the church on the same site.

Who designed the current building?

The church as it stands today was built between 1945 and 1951, designed by Antonio Serrano Peral, an architect linked to the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante. It follows a Jesuit-style floor plan, a layout shared with several other churches raised in Alicante in the years after the Spanish Civil War, including the Church of Los Ángeles and the Church of la Misericordia. This type of plan, rooted in Jesuit architectural tradition, favors a single wide nave without side aisles, keeping the congregation's attention focused on the main altar.

What can visitors see on the facade?

One detail worth knowing is that the original 1940s design already reserved two niches above the main entrance for sculptures, though they were not filled right away. It was only in 2008 that the architect's original intention was completed, when statues of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Pope John Paul II were placed on the facade. As a result, a mid-20th-century building carries facade decoration referencing two internationally recognized religious figures.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church sits in the heart of Alicante, on Plaza de la Montañeta, surrounded by dense city-center blocks and within easy walking distance of the Explanada de España promenade and the port. Its central position makes it easy to include on a walk through the old town, alongside other landmarks such as Santa Bárbara Castle and San Nicolás Cathedral.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the church called in Spanish and Valencian? In Spanish it is Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Gracia, and in Valencian/Catalan, Església de la Mare de Déu de Gràcia. Both names mean the same thing: the Church of Our Lady of Grace.

Is this the same building from the 16th century? Not exactly. The original church from the time of Ferdinand II of Aragon was built on the grounds of a former Franciscan monastery, but the building visitors see today dates from the 1945–1951 reconstruction designed by Antonio Serrano Peral, prompted by the city's urban growth.

Why is the church sometimes called San Francisco? This nickname reflects its Franciscan origins — the church was raised on the site of a Franciscan monastery, which is why the historical name Iglesia de San Francisco is still used alongside its Marian dedication.

What is on the church's facade? Above the main entrance, statues of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Pope John Paul II were added in 2008, completing a design the architect had planned for those niches decades earlier when the building was first constructed.