Santa Barbara Castle, Alicante
Alicante on the Costa Blanca lies about 5 hours down the Mediterranean coast from Barcelona. It is the second largest city in the province of Valencia and is home to the most popular airport for holiday traffic into the Costa Blanca.
The Romans referred to Alicante as the City of Light because as the sailors approached Alicante they were greeted by the light shining off the white limestone mountain, Mount Benacantil after which the city is named.
It was the birthplace of Spanish novelist Gabriel Miró who once said of Alicante “In my city, from the moment we are born, our eyes fill up with the blue from the sea.”
Santa Bárbara Castle When you arrive in Alicante you can’t help but notice the impressive castle looking out over Alicante from it’s vantage point on top of Mount Benacantil. Originally built by the Moors in the 10th Century and expanded in the 16th and 18th Centuries, it is one of the largest fortresses in Europe and covers the entire top of the mountain. Inside the series of gates you will find a 16th Century tavern, the troops quarters, the grain storeroom, a moat, lookout posts, cannons, etc., in other words everything you would expect in a fortress of this size.
There are three ways to get up to the castle. The first is by foot starting from Carmen Plaza in the old town leading up through the streets of San Rafael to the park of La Ereta and upwards. This is not a gentle walk and is recommended only for the more intrepid.
The second is far more comfortable. You can drive directly to the entrance of the fortress via the road from Avenida Jaime II. Please note that the car park at the top near the castle fills up quickly, if you want to park up there be sure to get there early.
The third is via a 200 metre tunnel cut into the mountain and two lifts which were originally installed in the 1960s. The door to this tunnel faces the Postiguet beach. Unfortunately this is in the process of being renovated and the lifts replaced at a cost of 1.2 million Euros. It is expected to be out of commission for the whole of 2011.
San Fernando Castle This castle, situated on Tossal Hill, was built at the beginning of the 19th Century to guard against Napolean’s advances. Unfortunately it was not enough to save the city and was abandoned shortly afterwards. The best view of it is from the top of the Santa Barbara Castle.
Explanada de España This tiled pedestrian area lies between the two lanes of the main road running parallel to the beach. It covers an area of 10,000 square metres made up of over 6,000,000 mosaic tiles in waves of black, cream and “Alicante red”. It is lined with tall palm trees and impressive fig trees reaching down to the ground with their hanging roots.
Ayuntamiento Situated in a traditional Spanish courtyard (plaza) the Ayuntamiento was initially built in 1685 by the French, it was extensively remodelled in the 18th Century in a Mediterranean Gothic style with towers at either side and decorated with spiral columns and ornamental plasterwork. Every Sunday there is a market held in this square where you can buy books, stamps, comics, cards and other collectibles. On the evening of June 24th thousands of people gather here to watch the burning of the San Juan fallas.
Inside the hallway, the only part of the building open to visitors, there is an imposing triptych relating to the construction of this building, a modern sculpture dedicated to Salvador Dali, and if you look to the staircase you will see a small plaque marking the topographical sea level (Cota Cero), this is the reference point for measurements of altitude used in Spain
The Basilica of Santa Maria Not far away, just up Calle Jorge Juan, there is a stone staircase inviting you up to the most beautiful and monumental plaza of old Alicante, the jewel of which is the Basilica of Santa Maria which claims to be the oldest active church in Spain. It was originally built in the 13th century over the remains of a mosque. It was rebuilt and renovated during the 14th and 16th Centuries. It’s baroque façade is laden with cherubs and gargoyles and a sculpture of the Virgin Mary welcomes you through the doorway in stark contrast the side wall is to this day marked with shell blasts from 1709 during the Spanish War of Succession.
Co-Cathedral of St Nicholas This blue domed landmark was constructed between 1616 and 1758. In 1959 it was elevated to co-cathedral status by the Orihuela-Alicante diocese. In 1961 it was listed as a National Historic Monument. Nowadays it is the city’s main place of worship and is named after Alicante’s patron saint.
Central Market Another building worthy of a visit is the Central Market. Built in an art-deco style in 1921-1924, it has a basically rectangular layout with the exception of a large circular appendage attached to one side which is topped with a huge domed roof known as “La Rotonda”. Inside you can experience the day to day life of the Alicante people as they bustle about buying their fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and bread.
Museo de Belenes Particularly if you are travelling with children, you should visit the nativity scene museum in San Augustin Street. This museum, although open all year round, contains hundreds of Christmas displays depicting Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the three kings.
Museo de Aguas de Alicante Situated in Plaza del Puente in the old quarter of Alicante at the base of Mount Benacantil this modern museum was set up around the Garrigós wells. These huge wells were excavated in the rock during the 16th century to store water and alleviate the water management problems typical of towns in warm climates.
Alicante, the capital of the Costa Blanca, is an excellent location for a weekend city break. It offers diverse shopping opportunities, a wealth of historic monuments, beautiful parks, beaches and promenades and an enjoyable night-life.
If you would like more information please contact the Tourist Info Alicante, Av. Rambla Méndez Núñez, 23. Tel. 965 200 000
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