Quijano Pantheon, history in one stop
The Quijano Pantheon, located next to the Alicante Bullring, is one of the most emblematic parks in the city, which is characterized by being a haven of peace in the daily hustle and bustle, a small green lung that breathes in the middle of the daily bustle of the area. In addition, it hides a story that not everyone knows. Do you want to know more about this beautiful park in Alicante that has a bus stop right at its door and many others very close by? Then keep reading!
How to get to the Quijano Pantheon?
Being located in a key location within the urban transport map of Alicante, we can reach the Pantheon of Quijano through numerous bus lines:
Line 1: España Square 4 (3936)
Line 6: Santa Teresa Square, 14 (4401),Santa Teresa Square, 5 (4437) y Calderón de la Barca, 37 (4438)
Line 8: España Square – Quijano Pantheon II (3047)
Line 9: Santa Teresa Square, 14 (4401), Santa Teresa Square, 5 (4437) y Calderón de la Barca, 37 (4438)
Line 10: Santa Teresa Square, 14 (4401), Santa Teresa Square, 5 (4437) y Calderón de la Barca, 37 (4438)
Line 13: Calderón de la Barca, 37 (4438)
Line 24: España Square – Quijano Pantheon I (2903)
But who was Quijano?
The pantheon is named after the Civil Governor of Alicante, Trinitario María González de Quijano Iturregu, better known as Trino Quijano. Quijano was born in Guetaria (Guipúzcoa) during the War of Independence against France. As a result of those times of war in which he grew up, he joined the Royal Guard Corps despite always showing a clear political vocation. During the First Carlist War he served as Superintendent of Revenue in Navarre and at the end of the war he was appointed Civil Governor of Navarre.
In 1845 he was arrested for disobedience to the Government of General Narváez, due to the great rejection he showed of the latter’s mandate, and in 1854, with a change in the Central Government, Trino Quijano again occupied the position of Civil Governor, but this time of the city of Alicante.
Shortly after being appointed Civil Governor of Alicante, a cholera outbreak broke out and threatened the entire local population. To combat it, Quijano ordered free prescriptions for medicines, as well as the opening of all public establishments and grocery stores, among other measures. A large part of the wealthiest and most powerful population left the city, but Quijano decided to remain in Alicante and visit the sick daily.
Quijano accepted the post of Civil Governor in August and died in September, as a result of contracting the disease. Thus, Quijano’s mandate only lasted 25 days. However, those 25 days were enough for him to become one of the most important figures in the history of Alicante.
A park for the memory
A group of city personalities decided to build a monument in his memory of and in gratitude to the people. In addition to preserving the memory and recognition of Trino Quijano, the park represents the virtues of the Civil Governor and the population of the time: courage, faith and bravery.
In 1855 the first stone of the Quijano Pantheon was laid in the park that also bears his name. The Quijano Pantheon has a small and unique cave, a small pond with stone frogs in a very romantic style and a hut, which until a few years ago functioned as a library.
In the centre of the garden stands the stone mausoleum that houses the remains of Trino Quijano. A pyramidal structure made of stone and black marble, crowned by a large obelisk, is the most characteristic element of this 19th-century park.