Taking You on a Stroll Through Old Alicante
by Igor Vragovic
(Alicante, Spain)
Ninots of Alicante, San Juan Festival
Alicante - Akra Leuka - Lucentum - Al-Luqentum
Known as a city of light, Alicante is situated in the southern part of the Valencia province.
This ancient Mediterranean port, survived and evolved, from its turbulent history.
Founded initially by the Iberians. The Romans and Phoenicians also desired to posses it - and invaded. Because of its most valuable location, Alicante was a major participator in historical events, after the Moorish conquest.
During the Spanish Reconquista, the city had an even bigger role in Spanish history. One legendary character that immediately springs to mind is: El Cid.
Alicante has become a favourite summer destination
Get in touch with its Millennium Past.
Travel Through Time: come and visit Alicante's museums and castles with me.
The starting point of our journey is MARQ - Archeology Museum of Alicante.
Its permanent exhibition shows a huge collection of archaeological fragments, unearthed in local sites. Educational videos are displayed in each thematic room. You can learn a lot about the everyday life of the Stone Ages. Iberian and Roman eras are also unveiled, taking you up to Medieval Times.
The largest part of archaeological treasure shown in MARQ, was found in Lucentum. The remains of the Roman city are located behind the Albufereta beach.
Lucentum was an important trading center, experiencing its greatest development during the rule of Octavian Augustus, when it was granted the status of municipality.
Visiting this archaeological site, you can see large parts of its protective walls, two public baths, necropolis, private villas with mosaic floor, as well as many other buildings along the main streets.
The fabulous Castle of Santa Barbara is our next stop.
It is the most distinguished landmark of the city, situated, on the top of Mount Benacantil, above the Old Town and Postiguet beach.
The castle is Muslim in origin - built in the ninth century, it's role was as an important strategic fortification.
The Christians conquered Santa Barbara more than 400 years later.
It was taken on December 4th, 1248, by Castilian King Alfonso X.
It so happened - that on that day - it was festivity of Saint Barbara. The castle was renamed in her honour. Today, the castle of Santa Barbara is one of the largest medieval fortresses of Spain, offering you, breathtaking views of Alicante bay and its countryside.
Within its massive walls, you can see the cannons and old artifacts. The administrative and military complex is well worth visiting. Walk along its walls and towers. Peer downwards...
Below the castle, on the side of Mount Benacantil, there is the beautiful Ereta park. Like a snake, its pathway gradually ascends up-and-up to the fort.
Next to the park, is the picturesque suburb: Barrio de Santa Cruz (Holy Cross). Its narrow streets have an abundance of blooming flowers.
The surrounding small, old, whitewashed houses evoke the sensation of being in El Albaicin of Granada or in a miniature Pueblo Blanco of Andalusia.
If you are the curious sort, why not go down to the Postiguet beach. Once you're there, look up to the castle.
Observe the left part of the Benacantil mountain, just below the tower. It looks like a human face - in profile.
THIS is the famous 'The Moor's Face', also represented on Alicante's coat of arms.
Finally, we ascend the smaller Castle of San Fernando, situated close to the Plaza Luceros.
San Fernando is a relatively new fortification, built at the beginning of the 19th century, on Tossal hill. It was designed, to act as a tough buttress, in the defence of Alicante against Napoleon Bonaparte's French invasion.
BUT, it turned out that a new castle, did not help - a lot.
Today, this is a place of rest and leisure. It transformed into an esteemed, sightseeing spot, with exquisite views that span over the city.
Modern Alicante has Unique Charm - it is a Sui Generis!
Costa Blanca has beautiful, sandy beaches, there are sweeping avenues, attractive shops and commercial centres, all kinds of restaurants and numerous bars and clubs with excellent music. All are great tempters for visitors and residents.
Furthermore, Alicante is a renonwned city of festivals: they are organized - all year round.
Wear crazy costumes during the Carnival in February, experience first hand the spirit of Easter during Semana Santa (Holy Week) or participate in the vibrant fun of the vivid, instant memory-invoking (San Juan's), St John's Bonfires' in June.
One of the Best Festivals in Spain.
(The picture above, is of a Ninot. Ninots are titanic-sized puppets made of papier-mâché, often their value runs into thousands of €uros. They are burnt marking mid-summer's night, during the festivity of San Juan.)
More information about Alicante can be found on
Holidays in Alicante Spain website.
If you have some interesting stories about
your vacation in Alicante, you are welcome to share them with us.
