The Legend of Saint Nicholas Envelops Alicante's Co-Cathedral

Christmas in Alicante continues to bring novelties. Following the installation of a giant Nativity scene, which broke the world record for the largest in 2019, and six monumental angels, the city now boasts a new Christmas attraction freshly crafted by foguere artist Lorenzo Santana.

The three-dimensional murals commissioned by the Alicante City Council to adorn the main facade of the Co-Cathedral of Saint Nicholas depict the history and legends surrounding the city's patron saint.

The foguere artist began assembling the first pieces of these murals on Thursday night. By the end of the first day of installation, Santana and his team had 'planted' two scenes of Saint Nicholas.

These remain standing on the right side of the Co-Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, awaiting the placement of the remaining two in symmetry. All of them narrate the legend of Alicante's patron saint and his connection to the city through various artisanal elements.

One scene depicts Saint Nicholas in the city of Alicante. The artist has sculpted the patron's figure surrounded by iconic elements of the provincial capital, such as the waves formed by the Explanada promenade's tiles, the domes and towers of the Co-Cathedral with its bell, and the palm trees.

Another scene celebrates Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th. This three-dimensional mural features children singing carols while awaiting gifts. Christmas is vividly present through holly leaves and bells, alongside attire for the most special time of the year. Alicante is also represented with a depiction of one of the horses from the Levante fountain, a work by Bañuls, in the Plaza de los Luceros.

Lorenzo Santana will continue his work this Friday, assembling the final two scenes. In these, the artist explained to this newspaper that he will depict Saint Nicholas's journey by ship, while the last will combine elements of Alicante with those from the Netherlands.

The artist began the 'plantà' of these three-dimensional murals after completing the decoration of the three facades of the Casa de la Festa. The iconic building, once home to the Banco Central Hispano headquarters, is adorned with Christmas decorations in its windows: frames with branches filled with Christmas baubles.

These murals and the decoration of the Casa de la Festa are another part of the legacy of foguere artist Lorenzo Santana in Alicante's Christmas, following the construction of four of the six angels that will guard the city's most special festivities starting next Monday, when their installation will begin at the bullring, Gestor Administrativo roundabout, Gran Vía roundabout, General Marvà promenade, Alicante-Terminal station, and San Cristóbal square.

The city of Alicante will shine from this Friday with the lighting of the Christmas lights. The traditional event will take place at 7 p.m. on Constitution Avenue, next to the large 18-meter-high tree that will offer various lighting shows.

A few meters from this point, the Alicante City Council has installed a new photo booth. It is a Christmas bell made of light strips where locals and visitors can walk through to take photos with it, just like with the influencer bear in the Plaza de la Montañeta.

Across the Rambla, in the Town Hall square, the assembly of the giant Nativity scene begins with the gathering of materials. On one side, various sandbags have been stored to serve as counterweights to support the six figures that make up this record-breaking Nativity from within their structures.