Discovering the city’s architecture
Multiculturalism and Art Nouveau are two of the attractions of Melilla’s culture that we can enjoy through its buildings. Two tourist routes give us the opportunity to discover them, visiting its Art Nouveau architecture and the city’s most iconic religious buildings.
Melilla is the Spanish city with the most Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings, after Barcelona. You can see hundreds of examples on the streets, elegant façades appearing one after another, with curved forms, floral and plant motifs, wrought iron and stained glass. The origin of this rich heritage was the architect Enrique Nieto, a student of Gaudí, who revolutionised the city’s architecture when he introduced this style in the early 20th century.
Melilla’s Art Nouveau route covers the Ensanche district of the city. This is the area of the “Golden Triangle”, so called for the large number of Art Nouveau buildings there. Starting from Plaza de España, it includes Avenida de Juan Carlos I Rey, Calle del Ejército Español and Calle López Moreno. The Assembly Palace, Casa Melul, Casa de los Cristales, Casa Tortosa, El Acueducto building, the Chamber of Commerce, the building of the newspaper “El Telegrama del Rif” and La Reconquista are a few of the most notable examples.The Art Nouveau style also appears in the city’s religious buildings. Or Zoruah Synagogue and Yamín Benarroch Synagogue, the Central Mosque and the church of Sagrado Corazón de Jesús are good examples.
This route lets you see how different religions live side-by-side peacefully in Melilla as you visit the main houses of worship of the city’s four religious communities: Christians, Muslims, Jews and Hindus. This multicultural experience also gives you a chance to discover the traditions and ceremonies of the different religions, courtesy of the communities themselves.The first point on the route is the Church of La Purísima Concepción , in the Romanesque style, the oldest church in the city. It continues with the Art Nouveau synagogue Or Zoruah (Holy Light), notable for the blend of Caliphate and Nasrid motifs on its façade. Next is Zawiya al-Alawiya mosque, built with the express authorisation of King Alfonso XIII. Finally, the guided tour ends at the Mandir Hindu Temple, the only Hindu house of worship in Melilla.The tour is taken by bus on Sunday morning. It must be booked at least three days in advance at the Melilla Tourist Office, with your contact information. To take the tour, at least 6 people must have reserved a place.
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