I drive along the road that passes by this temple every Sunday. And I have been doing so for several years now... when you pass by, you only see the domes and the shining crosses. The sun coming from the sea illuminates the cross, which then shines even brighter, and in the background, the mountains and the blue sky create a very harmonious landscape. Yesterday I took the time to stop here and finally visit the temple.
I remember that I came to it once a few years ago, but we never went in. Since it was the time of the service (it was Sunday yesterday when I stopped here), many cars were parked on the curb of the narrow street below the temple. There is no accessible parking space, so it is a bit of a problem when you come by car, but you can't help it because this place is a little isolated from the city of Altea. You have to come by car, or a motorbike could be a better option.
You pay 3 euros to enter and you get a candle that you can light inside the temple. It is an Orthodox tradition.
Orthodox? In Spain?
Well, believe it or not, this beautiful Orthodox church is located in Spain, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. You would think you were somewhere in Russia. And you wouldn't be wrong, because all the materials, everything was brought from Russia for its construction.
It is the first Russian Orthodox temple built in Spain! It also makes it the westernmost outpost of the Russian Church on the Eurasian continent. The foundation stone was consecrated in 2002, and the temple was built and consecrated in 2007.
The building is a replica of a wooden church from the 17th century; it has the shape of a cross, five domes, and an octagonal bell tower. It is a temple dedicated to Archangel Michael, in Russan it would be: Русский Православный Храм Архангела Михаила.
When you enter the yard, the first thing you will find on your right is the statue of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.
As I paid the entrance fee, I got the candle but I didn't have a scarf or else to cover my head. If I am not mistaken, women can't enter Orthodox temples without a covered head. And I didn't want to dishonour the tradition.
Also, I didn't want to dishonour the Sunday service they had so I went around the wooden temple and took a few photos from the other side of it and some other details, although the main entrance door was the most decorated one.
So beautiful details carved in the wood...
I was strolling there around the temple with the candle in my hand... I brought it home and will keep it, or gift it to an Orthodox friend.
In the same yard, by the temple, another wooden house is being built. It will be a cultural and educational centre dedicated to the famous Russian cellist, Mstislav Rostropovich.
The surroundings around the temple is also a paradise, on one side surrounded by the mountains and on the other, facing the sea. Well, it can't be seen from this angle, I am not so tall.
I was pleasantly surprised by the temple, its beauty and by the fact that the cultural centre is also being built there. A peculiar place to find this Russian Orthodox temple here in Spain, but yes, it exists here, close to the town of Altea.
