Unlike so many other resorts around the Costa Blanca, Alicante has tried to market itself for what it must offer culturally, in addition to its famous beaches and superb weather. Stuck between the coast and mountain ranges, it’s a city of beauty as well as culture. Located on Mount Benacantil, the Castillo de Santa Brbara is evidence of Alicante’s Moorish past. Even though it has developed into a modern tourist city from a little city short of rejuvenation, Alicante hasn’t forgotten its history and conventions. Local holidays are held across the year, and the conventional paella, available in nearly every bistro, is the dish to try if you want to taste a taste of the Costa Blanca.
Alicante lies on the Mediterranean coast between Elche and Benidorm. To the west and north are mountain ranges, while the southern areas are comprised of valleys, through which the Segura Stream flows. The Alicante province is split up into the Upper Jetty, which takes in Teulada, Javea and Calpe, and Lower Marina, centred around Benidorm but also including Villajoyosa and Altea. The most popular beach in Alicante, which is thought to be among the best Spanish beaches, is the San Juan. Inland are Aspe and Movelda, while Guardamar and Torreveija are further along the coast.
There is a huge amount to see and do in and around Alicante, which in years gone by was called Lucentum, meaning City of Light. For example, the Tabarca island is not far from the coast and makes an ideal short trip. Alicante’s palm-lined boulevard is heaven for buyers, while in the middle of the town is the Castle of Santa Barbara, amongst the biggest of the medieval Spanish fortresses. Make your way to the peak of Mount Benacantil, that the castle stands, for a breath taking panorama of Alicante. If you stand on El Postiguet beach and turn toward the castle, a strange section which juts out seems to take the type of a human face. This has been called the Moor’s Head. Another castle with great perspectives is the two hundred year old Castillo de San Fernando, which stands on Tossal Hill.
Like so many other cities located on the coast, Alicante has been subject to repeated assaults over the centuries, due to its increased weakness. Under the command of Charles II, in the late 17th century Alicante was put under siege for a week by the French Armada. Afterwards this was to be named the War of Spanish Succession, which lasted for almost fourteen years. During this time, the city became allies with the Bourbons. As a consequence the UK armed forces attacked it, destroying the Castle of Santa Barbara. When the War of Autonomy broke out in the early 19th century, it was for a while made the capital city of the Kingdom of Valencia. Rejuvenation and enlargement arrived with the end of the war nevertheless , and it received its own rail line in 1858. Now it was accessible from and to other provinces in Spain, it changed into a modern, cosmopolitan city, and a principle port in the province of Valencia.
Alicante suffered significantly in the 20 years of tyranny under General Franco. Bitterly cold weather conditions in the early and mid 40′s devastated the livelihoods of orange farmers. With Franco’s death in the mid 70s, King Juan Carlos I rose to power, making a democratic state. Ultimately Valencia gained its autonomy after 400 years. In the 21st century, the province of Alicante is one of the largest in the Valencian Autonomous Community. The port has been re-opened and is at present a much used point of access to the province. Its El Altet airfield is amongst the most frantic in the country, receiving as much domestic and global traffic as Madrid and Barcelona.
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