This historic Baroque town hall has been the civic centre of Alicante since the 18th century and features a picturesque chapel and archaeology exhibition.
The Town Hall of Alicante, also known as Ayuntamiento, is a landmark building in the city’s Old Town. The current hall was built on the site of the former Casa de la Ciudad (Town Hall), and features two towers that measure over 40 metres (131 feet) tall. The interior and exterior of the building are lavishly decorated. A small chapel is located inside and paintings by prestigious local artists adorn the walls. The offices of the city council sit inside the newest part of the hall. A permanent archaeological exhibition is also on display here.
Metal markers are dotted along the staircase in the halls’ entrance. Each marker shows the heights of some of Spain’s cities and urban centres starting at sea level. Reach the top of the main staircase and discover the Salon Azul, or Blue Lounge. Works by Padilla and Castello are hung in rooms decorated in the Isabelino-style, an art and architectural movement between the Gothic and Renaissance periods.
Council members meet in the nearby Salón de Plenos. Explore these rooms when meetings are not in session. The chapel is in the third room and regular masses are held here.
Browse through the archaeological exhibition, La Ciudad Descubierta (The City Uncovered) to find out about archaeological digs and history from the region as far back as medieval times. Information in both English and Spanish is on display, as well as rare photographs and illustrations.
The Alicante Town Hall is the civic centre of the Old Town and can be reached easily on foot from most areas of the city. Parking is limited but taxis regularly frequent the area. The Town Hall is open to visitors every morning but the archaeological exhibition is closed on weekends. Visit both for free.
