Parc de Santa Teresa

Parc de Santa Teresa is a small but atmospheric garden in the San Antón district of Alicante, also known locally as the Panteón de Quijano. Tucked inside the Plaza de Santa Teresa, right next to the busier Plaça de Espanya and the city's bullring, it's the kind of spot that's easy to walk past on a typical sightseeing route, yet it offers a completely different pace than the seafront or the Santa Bárbara castle above the city.

Who was the park built to honor?

The garden was created between 1855 and 1857 on the initiative of Alicante's city council, as a tribute to Trinitario González de Quijano, the city's civil governor. Quijano, originally from the Basque town of Guetaria, took office on 16 August 1854, just as a cholera epidemic was breaking out in the city. Over the following weeks he tried to manage the crisis, issuing an edict that forced all food shops to stay open and threatened harsh penalties for anyone speculating on the price of basic goods during the outbreak. He himself fell victim to the disease on 15 September 1854, after less than a month in office spent fighting for the survival of a population that lost close to two thousand people to the epidemic. The city remembered him as a hero and honored his memory by building this garden, designed by architect Francisco Morell y Gómez.

What can visitors actually see in the park today?

The centerpiece of the garden is a stone obelisk carved with inscriptions and surrounded by statues — it's the first thing that catches the eye on entering. The park also holds a romantic 19th-century grotto decorated with artificial stalactites, a feature typical of romantic gardens from that era. The whole space is well preserved and stands as one of the few surviving examples of the private gardens that once belonged to countryside mansions in the Huerta de Alicante area, most of which disappeared as the city expanded.

Is there a darker layer of history beneath the garden?

Yes — before this memorial garden was laid out, the site was used in the 18th century as a burial ground for the city's poor. That earlier chapter rarely makes it into tourist guides, but the sequence of uses — a pauper's cemetery, ground associated with a deadly cholera outbreak, and finally an elegant memorial park — gives the site far more depth than its calm, ornamental appearance suggests today.

How do you get there, and what's nearby?

Plaza de Santa Teresa, where the park sits, is served by several city bus lines as well as train line C3 and tram line L3, making it easy to reach from most parts of Alicante. The immediate surroundings are dotted with pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants, so a walk through the park pairs naturally with a coffee break or a meal. Its proximity to Plaça de Espanya and the bullring also makes it a convenient short stop while exploring the city center.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No — the park is an open part of the public plaza, so there's no charge to visit.

How much time should I set aside? It's a compact space; a relaxed walk taking in the obelisk and the grotto usually takes around 15–20 minutes.

Is it suitable for families with children? Yes, it's a quiet, shaded spot with benches, good for a short rest during a day of sightseeing.

What's the best way to get there? Public transport is the most practical option — bus, the L3 tram line, or the C3 train — since parking options in this part of the city center are limited.