Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Loreto

In the heart of the Duanes de la Mar fishing quarter, beside the harbour of Xàbia, stands one of the most distinctive modern churches in Spain. Known as the parish of the sea, its bold concrete silhouette evokes the keel and ribs of an upturned boat, a direct tribute to the town's seafaring tradition that surprises everyone who discovers it for the first time.

An award-winning design

Built in the mid-twentieth century, the church was honoured with a National Architecture Prize in 1969, a recognition that confirms its value well beyond the religious sphere. It is a striking example of the religious brutalism of the 1960s, a movement that sought expression through bare concrete and daring structural forms. Its design breaks completely with the traditional image of a temple and turns it into a visual landmark of the port.

What to see and visitor tips

The building is worth seeing both outside and inside, where the rib-like structure creates a luminous, enveloping space that recalls the hull of a ship.

• Walk down to the harbour to take in the full silhouette from several angles.
• Pair your visit with a stroll through the fishing quarter and the portside promenade.
• Check opening hours, as the interior is not always accessible outside services.
• It sits a short distance from Arenal de Xàbia, ideal for rounding off the day.