Alicante, Castel de Santa Barbara
After all these years it struck us that we had never visited Alicante - or almost never. Alicante has become synonymous with going home. Going to the airport to fly home. That's also how it felt when we decided to just visit the city of Alicante - so nice to head towards the airport with separation anxiety that could only be swept away. It's almost silly to write that it takes 70 minutes north of Los Alcázares to Alicante via the AP7 and 85 via the 332 - because everyone knows that.
Now, Alicante is a city with 332,000 inhabitants (2018) and lots of sights - so you don't graze it on a coffee break. There are a number of interesting museums well worth a visit. The Museo de Fogueres is popular for its magnificent ninots (wooden statues). The art museum "MaCa" is located in the middle of Alicante's oldest building. In Alicante's old quarter you have a lot to see and experience, you must not miss visiting the San Nicholas Cathedral.
Just google all the sights or visit https://www.alicanteturismo.com/en
Castillo de Santa Barbara
We started by walking on a beach promenade north of the city center. There the restaurants were wall to wall and we chose the most populated restaurant – an Italian one. With the Mediterranean as a background, we enjoyed food, views and Spanish murmurs. Full of energy, we made our way to Castillo de Santa Barbara. The most obvious attraction in Alicante as it is the main signature in the city's Skyline. We drove all the way up to be driven away by the Guardia Civil. We were directed to a parking lot about a hundred meters down. It seems that you can park down in the city and take a lift through the mountain up for approx. €3
At the top of the mountain Benacantil 166 m above sea level, is the Castillo de Santa Bárbara. A castle which, when it was designed, became one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain. From here you can enjoy a 360º view of the city. Castillo de Santa Bárbara a site of special cultural interest since 1961.
The castle has three different levels from different eras:
The upper level, "La Torreta", is where visitors find the castle and the oldest remains of the fortress, mostly dating from the 14th century. The middle level is the location of the most important buildings and was built in the 16th century.
The lower level dates from the 18th century and is home to Revellín del Bon Repó's ravelin. (Unclear what this is)
In any case, it is a very interesting place and the visit was free of charge.
It is the lift up that costs something if you take it.
https://castillodesantabarbara.com/en
Text & image: Måns Löfgren, SkyBlueMedia
