On the Mediterranean coast of Spain, at the top of Benacantil, in Alicante stands a magnificent castle with the beautiful name of Santa Barbara. This is one of the main symbols of the sunny resort town.
Santa Barbara Fortress (Spain) is a widely visited and popular tourist destination.
Even the most fascinating journey to the castle is fraught with many unexpected and pleasant surprises. An hour and a half tour of its territory gives a lot of positive emotions and vivid impressions.
general description
The medieval castle is a triumph of engineering and military architecture. It rises majestically over a beautiful city at an altitude of 166 meters. This is one of the largest fortresses in Spain. The rock itself resembles a face with its outlines, in connection with which it is also called the “face of the Moor”.
The castle consists of three levels located at different heights, and each represents the history of different eras. This magnificent building is actually located in the central part of the city, by the sea.
The fortress, built about 10 centuries ago, is greatly admired by many tourists and citizens. Thanks to the multi-level construction, amazing views of the city’s landscapes are opened from almost all points. Yes, and the castle is beautifully visible from afar and is a great landmark.
Santa Barbara Fortress in Alicante is amazing and interesting both in its architecture and centuries-old history.
Its address: 03002, Spain, the city of Alicante, Plaza del Cuarter, 1.
Architecture elements
The main attractions of the fortress are the following architectural elements: the Armory Courtyard, the military building, the Philip II Hall (king), the Queen's bastion and the watchtower. The internal premises correspond to the external appearance of the castle, they are also decorated in a medieval spirit.
You can climb to the fortress with elevators with entrances, equipped opposite the resort beach of Postiguet. You can climb the elevator for a certain small fee, but lovers of especially thrills can take a walk uphill along a rather long staircase with bridges.
Ancient history of the castle
Once upon a time, in the third century BC. e. Greeks built defensive impregnable fortifications. A very good location for the bastions was strategically chosen. Thanks to this position of the fortress, it was convenient to observe the entrances to the city and hold power over a large territory.
In honor of St. Barbara, whose holiday is annually celebrated in these places at the beginning of December, the Santa Barbara fortress got its name. Its history is full of numerous events.
One of the most heroic historical moments is the year 1296. At that time, the commandant of the fortress named Nicholas Paris, who protected her from the enemy army of King Jaime II, fighting to the last, immortalized his name. With one hand, stained with the blood of enemies, he held a sword, and with his other hand held tightly the key to the fortress. According to legend, the enemies could get it only by cutting off the hand of the commandant-hero only after his death. And now, at the highest point of the castle, an inscription is carved on the feat of Nicholas Paris.
About the destruction and reconstruction of the castle
During the long time of its existence, the Santa Barbara fortress changed its owners several times and, accordingly, was reconstructed. In January 1844, during the uprising led by Colonel Pantaleon Bonet, the castle was occupied by them, but, in connection with the betrayal of one of his subordinates, Bonnet himself fell into a trap. And in the end, the castle was captured by the people of Espartero. All rebels were executed directly in the walls. In place of their execution today stands the Memorial dedicated to the Martyrs of Liberty, which is dedicated to the fallen comrades of Pantaleon Bon.
The castle received serious damage during the war of 1873. He was badly injured as a result of his shelling from the Spanish battleship Numancia, led by rebels from Cartagena.
20th century castle
In the late 1930s, the Santa Barbara fortress, during the Spanish Civil War, was used as a prison for captured Republicans. Witnesses of those times are the inscriptions and prints on the walls that they left. After the war ended, the fortress was desolate for some time, and only thanks to the city authorities did it become a unique monument of historical heritage.
Since 1963, the restoration of this building began. 2 elevators were built, raising visitors to the fortress in just one minute to the very top of the mountain (path length 204.83 meters).
Fortress today
Thus, the fortress of Santa Barbara today is perfectly equipped for convenient viewing by numerous visitors.
In addition, great concerts and festivals take place here on summer nights, and picnics are organized in the winter. On the territory of the lowest level are tables and benches.
Inside the castle you can visit informative exhibitions.
If you find any way out of the fortress, you can go down the so-called Great Wall of China (Spanish) and get into the preserved old quarter called Barrio Santa Cruz. These are narrow streets with white houses, where the voices of children chasing a soccer ball are heard.
The observation platforms of the fortress open up an amazing panorama combining an excellent city, a view of the beautiful sea, road forks, a beach, a port and neighboring cities.
What else can you see in the castle?
The Santa Barbara Fortress in Alicante is a rather complex and impressive building. It consists, as noted above, of three levels that arose in different eras and are monuments of bygone times.
Towers and walls are traditional chivalrous architecture. Some parts of the structure (upper) have been preserved since Arab times.
Today, the territory of the fortress is well equipped for the convenience of tourists visiting the museum. Exhibition halls are equipped with permanent and temporary expositions, the contents of which are dedicated to the glorious history of the castle, its changing appearance over the centuries.
It should be noted the observation deck of the fortress, of which there are several. They offer stunning views, especially during sunset and at night, when the city is transformed by night lights.
On the territory of the fortress there are equipped recreation areas with souvenir tents and cafes.
How to get to the castle
Anyone has the opportunity to visit the fortress of Santa Barbara in Alicante. Admission is free.
The easiest way is a high-speed elevator, the entrance to which is located in the center of Benacantil Mountain, near Postiguet Beach. Moreover, the rise is quite fast, and the cost for services (only for the rise) is 3 euros. Young children and older people can use the elevator for free.
The castle can also be reached by taxi or by car on the highway. For transport at the lower level of the castle there is free parking.
For lovers of romantic travels, there is a more interesting way of climbing, hiking, which will bring additional pleasure. Thanks to this trip, you can see two more amazing sights: the Santa Cruz quarter and the park de la Ereta. In the first, as noted above, you can see the ancient Moorish buildings of the 13th century, and in the exotic green park you can relax on the benches by the fountain and take a walk along the paths.
The most courageous and fearless climb straight up the cliff, however it is quite dangerous and forbidden.