Church of Saint James and Saint Anne, Neoclassical parish church in Benidorm, Spain.
The church of Saint James and Saint Anne is a neoclassical parish church perched on Canfali Hill in the old town of Benidorm, Spain. It is recognizable by its blue dome, which rises above the rooftops of the old quarter and faces directly out over the sea.
The church was built in the 18th century as the main place of worship for the growing community of Benidorm. Over time it became the heart of daily life in the old town, a role it still holds today.
Inside the church stands the statue of the Virgen del Sufragio, linked to a wooden sculpture that washed ashore on a drifting boat near Benidorm's coast. This figure draws local worshippers and remains a living center of devotion that visitors can observe during religious celebrations.
The church is reached by walking through the narrow lanes of Benidorm's old town, and the final stretch up the hill is short but steep, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. The views from the hilltop over both bays are visible from outside even when the church itself is closed.
The church bell tower once served as a navigation reference for sailors passing along this stretch of the Mediterranean coast, giving the building a practical role beyond worship. This connection to the sea is still noticeable today in the way the building is oriented directly toward the water.
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