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Alicante - Things to do and See - Castles, History City Tours

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Santa Barbara Castle, Alicante City

Santa Barbara CastleYou can't fail to notice this impressive castle situated on an outcrop over looking Alicante City. It's one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe and covers the complete summit of the Benacantil Mountain. Originally built by the Moors in the 10th century, the castle received its name from the conquest of King Alfonse the Wise that took place on 4th December 1248: Saint Barbara's day. Over the following centuries it was developed and extended leaving it with three main areas all dating from different eras.

Castle over the townSanta Barbara Castle has everything you would expect, cannons, a palace, dungeons, a moat, the ruins of a small church and of course that famous lookout tower. From all around the walls you get the most fantastic views: a definite photo opportunity. And when you're tired of walking up and down steep paths, peering over cliff edges and pondering the places from where boiling oil was thrown, there are two café areas where you can take a break in the shade of pine trees.

The castle is free to visit and there are two entrance points. If you're feeling energetic you can walk along the road that winds around the back of the mountain, or if you're short of time you can drive. The easier way, incurring a small charge (but free if you are disabled or an EU senior citizen) is via an elevator going up through a tunnel carved out of the rock. You find the entrance opposite the Postiguet beach area.

Alicante Santa Barbara Castle is an excellent place to visit at anytime of the year. In the height of summer it's a perfect place to catch the sea breeze, whilst in the cooler months the walk up to the castle through the parks and pine wood allows you time to reflect on the difficulties of capturing it.

insiders tip: Take a look at the rocky outcrop just below the lookout point: depending on the angle that you view it, you will be able to see the outline of a Moor's face!

History of Alicante
Castle Evenings

Castle at NightIn the summer months of July and August the Town Hall hosts a programme of special 'castle evenings'. These usually consist of concerts held on Friday and Saturday nights in the courtyard of Santa Barbara Castle. They're free (limited only by the maximum capacity of the venue) and start at 22.00hrs. Being out under the stars on a balmy evening, listening to music with the backdrop of a medieval castle is a truly enchanting experience.
Castillo de San Fernando (St Ferdinand Castle)

As if one castle wasn't enough, Alicante goes one better and has two! The Castillo de San Fernando was built at the beginning of the 19th century on Tossal Hill as part of Alicante's defence against Napoleon's advance. Sadly it proved useless and was abandoned shortly after. It still has an ornate doorway that helps give a sense of the design, and part of its walls are well preserved should you want to take a look.

Museums and Art Galleries

Museo MarqAlicante City is full of all kinds of museums and art galleries, from the drier subjects of archaeology to the more fun ones like bullfighting and from classical paintings through to Contemporary. We would certainly advise you to visit the Tourist Information Office to get a complete list of all there is to see as new ones are always opening up - so, with something for everyone let us give you a taster!
Museo de Arte de Siglo XX La Asegurada (Museum of Contempory Art)

Tel : (+34) 96 5140959 / 96 514 94 69 Plaza de Santa Maria, 3, Alicante

Museo AseguratHere is a perfect example of old meets new. This building, dating from 1687 and previously a granary, is one of the oldest in Alicante, now however it is home to this art gallery which houses one of the most important contemporary art collections existing in Spain today. Donated in 1977 by local artist and sculpture, Eusebio Sempere, it consists of works that he felt represented the art movement through the years. Here you can view paintings by Dali, Cocteau, Miro, Bacon and Picasso, proving you don't have to go to Madrid to see the work of well-known artists.

Entrance is free and so are guided tours if you arrange them in advance.
Museo de Fogueres (Bonfire Festivities Museum)

Tel: (+34) 96 514 68 28 Rambla de Méndez Nuñez, Alicante.

The festival of San Juan knocks our idea of burning Guy Fawkes on a bonfire into a cocked hat! If you have ever enjoyed this fiesta and seen the intricate effigies made out of papier-mâché that are sacrificed to the flames - then you will know how delightful this museum will be to visit. For those who haven't experienced the skill involved in creating these paper sculptures: prepare to be amazed. The museum has a number of these large creations that were saved from the flames and they're displayed here, allowing you to study the superb craftsmanship, the use of colour and the messages the creators have tried to get across. Usefully, there is also a room allowing you to experience the festival through the use of video and photographs.
Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum)

Tel: (+34) 96 521 99 30 Plaza de Toros, Alicante

Bullring

Swirling capes, pin sharp swords and elaborate costumes - they're all here, and for the less squeamish, there are also a few stuffed bulls heads around the place! Its an interesting Museum that brings together the artefacts associated with bull fighting which, whether you love or hate it, has been a part of Spanish culture for centuries.

Museo de Belenes (Nativity Museum)

Tel: (+34) 96 520 22 32 Plaza Quijano, Alicante

Situated in a typical 19th century family house in the Old Quarter of the city you will find this quaint museum. In Spain during the celebration of the Three Kings (the Christmas-time celebration) it is traditional for every home to have a nativity scene, generally homemade, in the same way that we have Christmas trees. Alicante has long associations with this craft and in this museum nativity scenes crafted in places such as Africa and India have been gathered. Depicting the life of Christ, sometimes in miniature, this museum gives you the chance to view some of these works of art.
MARQ (Museum of Archaeology)

Tel: (+34) 96 514 90 00 Plaza Dr Gomez Ulls, Alicante www.marqalicante.com

Inside Museo MarqThis museum is history brought bang up to date. No dry dusty exhibits here, what you have is the archaeological finds from the Alicante region displayed in a very modern way. Wonderfully lit and intermingled with audio-visuals, the collections come alive giving you a flavour of the various civilisations that have made Alicante their home. No wonder that it was adjudged to be Europe's best museum in 2004!

Artefacts range from 100,000 years ago when the first human occupation occurred, through to the Roman era and right up to the mid 19th century. Alicante is very proud of this museum, and justifiably so. The underwater Exhibition is a definite must see. Taking you on a journey through the ages and showing you the part the sea has played, it ends with a dramatic reconstruction of a boat believed to have sunk in the 5th century AC.
Mubag Gravina Fine Arts Museum

Tel: (+34) 96 514 67 8013-15 Calle Gravina, Alicante www.mubag.com

Inside Museo MUBAGStep inside the door of this building and you can't fail to be impressed by the grandeur of the stone arches that stretch around the ground floor. Once a palace owned by the Earl of Limiares, this elegant building now holds a collection of art ranging mainly from the 16th to the 20th century. Opened in 2001 the 2000 works owned by the Provincial Council are housed here and 500 of them have been selected for exhibition. Unusually these works are put into context by the use of audio-visual equipment, period furniture and textiles. The curators hope that rather than being mere spectators, visitors to the gallery will be encouraged to play a more active part in understanding the artwork.

Alicante - a tour of the more beautiful Buildings and Monuments

Town HallAlicante City has a wonderful heritage that can be experienced through many of its building and monuments. We have chosen come of the key sights to see and compiled a short tour that is easily achievable in an afternoon or morning. So put on your walking shoes and lets go!

We start off in the barrio below the Castle, and opposite the beach area, in the street called Jorge Juan as here you can visit the oldest church in Alicante.

Inside Iglesia de Santa MariaIglesia de Santa Maria (St Mary's Church) was built in a gothic style between the 14th and 16th centuries and stands on the foundations of a Moorish mosque. There is a wide range of art kept in the church with two of the most valuable dating from the 15th century. Of particular interest is the 16th century white marble font that is attributed to the school of Michelangelo.

Town HallWalk a little further along the street toward La Ramblas and you will find the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) which, with its twin towers, strikes an impressive pose over a square lined by arcaded walkways. Step inside to see the dramatic statue of Dali, and below it, on the lowest step of the staircase, you can see the 'cota zero' a brass stud used to measure the height of the sea level of all Spanish Towns. But don't stop there - go up the stairs to see the striking 'blue' room and the small chapel.

San NicolasStill moving towards La Ramblas, two streets back you can find the imposing Catedral de San Nicolás de Bari (Cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Bari). Completed in 1662, it dominates the warren of streets that have wrapped themselves around it. Once again this was built on the remains of a mosque (a common practice in those days, to eradicate any trace of the Moors) and has a wonderful blue dome that raises to over 45m. Do visit inside the Cathedral and have a glance at the communion chapel, it's considered one of the most beautiful in Spain.

Barrio Santa CruzWalking a little way along past the Cathedral you start to climb uphill in to the area known as Santa Cruz. Here amongst narrow streets more reminiscent of Seville you will find the Chapel of Santa Cruz (Holy Cross). Constructed at the end of the 18th century it once formed part of the old town walls and now plays a large part in the Easter celebrations when one of the large heavy floats containing a religious icon is expertly maneuvered around the tight bends and carried into the church.

Theatro PrincipalNow head back to La Ramblas and about half way up turn left onto Teatro Street and you will see the Teatro Principal (Main Theatre). This is a fine example of neo-classical construction and when it was completed in 1847 the interior was designed to be as grand as the exterior: in its day it was considered quite audacious! This is the centre of culture for the city where performances of ballet, opera and theatre can be enjoyed - so do check out the programme of events.

Central MarketCarrying on to the top end of La Rambla and across the road is the Mercado Central (Central Market). The art deco building has two floors; meat is sold on one and fish on another. This impressive building is usually a hive of activity most mornings and gives you an opportunity to experience a slice of Spanish life! At the back of the mercado is the daily flower market: full of colour and perfume - don't miss it!

BullringFinally carry on along the street called Calderon de la Barca (running from the back of the market) and at the top you will come across the fabulous Plaza de Toros (Bullring). Built in 1849 it is one of the oldest in Spain and is still in use today. Here you will find a museum dedicated to bullfighting where artifacts such as capes and costumes are on show along with the occasional stuffed bulls' head. If you visit on Saturday morning there is usually a busy market being held. Outside the bullring is a marvelous bronze statue of racing bulls, whilst the square that the bullring is on is filled with jets of water that bubble up from the pavements - great for the kids to jump over on a hot summers day!

If you've reached this far then you may want to walk a few hundred meters to the right where you will be able to view what was once the poorhouse of Alicante. Formally a Bishop's palace, the building that dates from 1752 became a tobacco factory in 1801 and until recently was still functioning as one.
Archaeological Site

The Ibero-Roman City of Lucentum was found on the hill known as Tossal de Mansis in the later part of the 18th century. This 'city' which covered 30,000m2 is the origin of Alicante and it has been listed as a National Historical site since 1961. Only 200m of its 1.3km of streets have been excavated but the finds have included sections of the ancient city walls from the 3rd century BC and pottery from the late 5th century BC. As a city, Lucentum was riding high in the first century of the Christian era and at the site you can view remains of its streets, thermal baths and also the homes of its inhabitants.

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