Old Church Square

We find ourselves in one of the most important sites of ancient Benissa. Here was the Church-fortress of San Pedro, built in the 16th century, possibly on the ruins of a 14th century Arab mosque. It was built for the celebration of the Christian cult (between 1550 and 1570), but also with clearly defensive functions, due to increased pirate attacks that occurred during that period along the Mediterranean coast. It was a very imposing building. Its appearance can be seen by the image painted on tile on one of the walls of the square.
We can also see a replica of the entrance gate to the church. Following the opening of the new and imposing parish church dedicated to Xiqueta Puríssima in 1929, this old church gradually fell into disuse, suffering severe damage over time. Therefore, it was decided, at the beginning of the 1940s, to demolish it.