The church was designed to serve a dual purpose as a place of worship and a defensive refuge for townspeople during Mediterranean pirate attacks.
The distinct golden-hued 'tosca' stone used in construction was extracted from local quarries, including those now located underwater at the First Montañar beach.
During the Spanish Civil War, the church was utilized as a market and a shelter, which caused significant damage to its interior and religious artifacts.
The church's bells are housed in a tower that is visibly separated from the defensive crenellations of the main building body.
The Gothic interior is unusually austere, reflecting the defensive necessities of its era rather than ornate decorative trends.
Parròquia de Sant Bertomeu is a fortified Gothic church located in the historic center of Xàbia. Originally constructed in the 14th century, the structure was reinforced in the 16th century to defend the town against Berber pirate raids. It is constructed from locally quarried 'tosca' stone, a porous sandstone characteristic of the Marina Alta region. The building features a single nave with side chapels integrated between buttresses. Its exterior walls are thick, featuring crenellations and defensive galleries that functioned as a fortress. The church is a designated Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in Spain. It remains the religious and structural centerpiece of the Xàbia old town.
From the Plaça de l'Església, capturing the full façade to highlight the defensive crenellations and the warm texture of the tosca stone.
Walk the narrow, whitewashed streets surrounding the plaza to see how the church's stone architecture contrasts with local residential dwellings.
Check for local cultural exhibitions or acoustic concerts held inside the nave, as the stone structure provides unique natural reverb.
Visit the nearby municipal market for local produce after viewing the church exterior.
Do not attempt to climb the exterior walls or access off-limits areas designated for clergy only.
Dress modestly as it is an active place of worship; keep noise levels low.
