Fortress of Santa Barbara in Alicante: history and photos. Alicante, Santa Barbara: history and legend of Santa Barbara Alicante

Arriving in the Spanish Mediterranean resort city of Alicante, it is impossible not to visit the most famous historical landmark and cultural heritage of the country - the Santa Barbara Fortress (Spanish name Castillo de Santa Barbara). Santa Barbara Castle is located in the center of Alicante, on top of Mount Benacantil or Mount Benacantil at an altitude of 166 meters above sea level, within walking distance of the beach and other central attractions of the city. Tourists from all over the country and the world come to visit this fortress.

Castle Santa Barbara can rightfully be called the hallmark of Alicante; it can be seen from all corners of the city.

View of Mount Benacantil and Santa Barbara Castle

They say that the Benacantil rock is shaped like a face. That is why the mountain is also called “the face of the Moor” (la cara del moro). True, no matter how hard we tried, we never noticed this similarity. However, it is precisely for this reason that the outline of a face is clearly visible on the city’s coat of arms. The Spaniards themselves attach such serious importance to the mountain and the castle on its top; they even reflected this fact on their coat of arms.

How to get to Santa Barbara Castle

Although the mountain seems tall, and the castle at its very top looks tiny and so far away, you can climb Mount Benacantil and walk to Santa Barbara Castle in just 10-15 minutes from the center of Alicante. There are lifts, both free and paid - on a high-speed elevator.

Paid high-speed elevator to the Santa Barbara Fortress

The entrance to the high-speed elevator, which can take you to the very top of the mountain in just one minute and go straight to the heart of the Snata Barbara Castle, is located on Jovellanos Boulevard, opposite Carrer de Jovellanos 1.

There is a fee for the elevator ride, the cost is 2.70 Euro per person. Payment via terminal. Children under 4 years of age and people over 65 years of age are admitted free of charge.

The paid elevator operates daily from 10:00 to 19:45. From 19:45 to 23:10 you can take the elevator up and down for free. From 23:10 to 23:30 the elevator operates only for descent, also free of charge.

This is the only thing you have to pay for, not counting souvenirs and a cafe, if you want to buy something or have a snack. Everything else in the castle: inspection, exhibitions, museums are free.

Free climb to the Santa Barbara Fortress

You can climb Mount Benacantil and go to the Santa Barbara Fortress completely free of charge. The rise takes only 10-20 minutes, in . Santa Cruz is the oldest district of the city, where the lifestyle of medieval Spain has been preserved, a very picturesque place, we recommend taking a walk.

In the evening, when it gets dark, the observation decks of the fortress offer an equally impressive panorama of the city and the coast, if not more beautiful than the day...

Why is the fortress called Santa Barbara! Interesting?

Based on history, on December 4, 1248, on the day of Saint Barbara (Barbara), Prince Alfonso of Castile, the future king Alfonso X the Wise, with force and heroic courage won the bastions from the Arabs. It was in honor of the day of St. Barbara, which coincided with the capture of the citadel, that the Fortress was named Santa Barbara.

The name of the fortress also corresponds to the Santa Barbara TV series of the same name. Remember this one? The longest series in the world, the developments of which were closely followed by our grandmothers and mothers.

History of the Santa Barbara Fortress

After the conquest of the castle by King Alfonso, in 1296 King Jaime II of Aragon recaptured the fortress, meeting and conquering fierce resistance in the process. A detachment of defenders, led by the brave commandant of the fortress, Nicholas Paris, defended every centimeter of the castle as best they could, but it still did not help them. According to legend, Nicholas Paris died clutching his sword in one hand and the keys to the fortress in the other. The enemies received the keys only when they cut off his hand. The commandant, with his heroic deed and courage, earned the recognition of not only his compatriots, but also his enemies. A monument of honor and glory was erected to him at the highest point of the fortress. Also on the coat of arms of the fortress there is a symbol corresponding to that historical event - a hand clutching the keys to the gate, as a sign of the steadfastness of its defenders.

In 1691, the Santa Barbara fortress came under fire from a French squadron. And during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1701-1714, it was held by the British for three years.

In 1873, the castle of Santa Barbara, along with the city, was fired upon by Spanish rebels from the frigate Numancia.

From the beginning of the eighteenth century, the fortress gradually lost its military significance and its buildings began to be used as a prison. So it remained in a semi-abandoned state until 1963, when, after restoration, it was opened to public visits. We can see the walls and territory of the fortress restored and close to the centuries-old history. To this day, the castle is regularly restored and maintained in good condition.

I have planned a large article with the appropriate name, but this is really a lot of material that needs to be prepared, it is difficult to do at once, and, perhaps, to read, so I will slowly prepare it and post it in parts as the material is ready and photos are selected. I’ll probably learn even more than 10, and then I’ll choose what’s more interesting (so I’ll be grateful for your comments)!
You may have already partially seen some of my materials - well, no worries! I'm sure you'll forgive me :))

. Castle of Santa Barbara.
. Breakfast with sea view
. Conquest of the sea
. Walk to Muchavista Beach
. Eat churros with hot chocolate
. Attend a local festival
. Eat the RIGHT paella
. Take a tram ride.
. Shopping and discounts
10 things to do in Alicantee. Part 10 . Go to a bullfight.

So, part 1. Santa Barbara Castle.

Let's start with the banal, with what can be found in any guidebook or even just a free map of the city, which can be obtained at any tourist info office - with the Santa Barbara Castle on Mount Benacantlil, towering 169 m above the city and the beach.
That is why the panoramic views from the mountain are simply fantastic, in all directions, and the small towers undoubtedly decorate it very much. You don’t want to let go of the camera!

I want to stand there longer, enjoying the open spaces!

By the way, you definitely won’t be alone at the top - seagulls love this place:

The castle dates back to the last centuries of Moorish rule, IX-XII, and in the XIII, when, as a result of the war for liberation from Muslims, the Reconquista, this area returned to Christian hands, it received its name, Santa Barbara, in honor of the patron saint of the city of Alicante ( the male patron is San Nicolas, the cathedral named after him is also located nearby, between the mountain and one of the main streets of the city, La Rambla).
Today, Santa Barbara is one of the symbols of the city, along with the embankment, lined with a three-color mosaic in the form of waves (more on that later).

You should definitely climb the castle! The most correct option would be to climb there on foot - it’s quite easy, there are several quite convenient paths going there, no special shoes or special physical training are required. I don’t recommend doing this on a July-August afternoon, when the sun mercilessly bakes the top of your head. And take some water with you (you can buy it in the little bar upstairs, but you have to get there first!).

In the photo: one of the paths up is perhaps the most picturesque, but far from the most obvious...

For those who can’t walk at all, there is an elevator; the entrance to it is marked on the map with a green arrow (blue walking path to the top). You can also drive in by car (the road for cars is marked with a red arrow, you can also walk there), there is free parking at the top, but on weekends and holidays it’s not easy to find a place.

"Alicante, la Millor Terreta Del Mon" -

best land in the world

Written at the entrance to the fortress.

Fortress Santa Barbara, Castillo de Santa Barbara- this is the calling card of the city of Alicante. T A triumph of military architecture and engineering rises above the city, as befits a castle. Medieval fortress, one of the largest in Spain, located on the top of Mount Benacantil, 166 m high. The shape of the rock resembles a face, which is why it is also called the “face of the Moor”.

Observation deck

In the 3rd century BC the Greeks built defensive fortifications that no one dared to attack. The location and strategic position of the bastions was chosen extremely well. The impregnable formidable fortress helped to monitor the entrance routes to the city and maintain power over a vast territory. The fortress consists of three levels located at different heights, each representing a different era. The citadel is located near the seashore and actually in the city center.

Old map of the fortress

Among the castle's attractions are the Torre de Homenaje/"Tower of Honors", the highest point of the fortress, The oldest remains of the fortress are preserved here. El Baluarte de los Ingleses/"The English Bastion", La Capilla de Santa Barbara/Chapel, Salon of Philip II...

Why is the fortress called this?

On December 4, 1248, on the day of Saint Barbara (Barbara), Prince Alfonso of Castile, the future king Alfonso X the Wise, took the bastions from the Arabs by storm. But in 1296, King Jaime II captured the fortress again, encountering fierce resistance. A detachment of defenders, led by the brave commandant of the fortress, Nicholas Paris, defended every stone. According to legend, Nicholas Paris died clutching his sword in one hand and the keys to the fortress in the other. The enemies received the keys only when they cut off his hand. The commandant earned the recognition not only of his compatriots, but also of his enemies. A monument of honor and glory was erected to him at the highest point of the fortress. On the coat of arms of the fortress there is a symbol - a hand clutching the keys to the gate, as a sign of the steadfastness of its defenders.

There is also a legend - when Nicholas Paris's hand unclenches and the keys fall, the city Alicante will be conquered by the enemy. Fortunately, this did not happen, and the city of Alicante was never again conquered by either the British in the War of the Spanish Succession or Napoleon's French troops. Alicante, Lisbon and Cadiz are the only three cities that were not conquered by the French.

The reconstruction and rebuilding of the fortress continued until the reign of Phillip II. The construction of new buildings, which have survived to this day, began with the arrival of the new commandant of the fortress, Juan Colom. These works continued from 1562 to 1580. In 1691, during an artillery attack by a French squadron, the fortress was partially damaged. Also, during the War of the Spanish Succession from 1706-1709, it suffered devastating blows.

On January 28, 1844, the fortress was occupied by the rebel liberals, led by Colonel Pantaleon Bonet. They opposed politics General Espartero. After the betrayal of one of Colonel Bonnet's comrades, the castle was captured and the uprising was brutally suppressed. All the rebels and their supporters were shot. Thishour, at this place stands the monument-memorial of the Martyrs of Freedom.

During the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, the fortress served as a prison for Republican prisoners. To this day, Santa Barbara keeps traces of their stay on the castle walls.

The fortress was in a neglected state for many years. Since 1963, restoration of the unique structure began. Two high-speed elevators were built that take you to the top of the mountain in a minute through a tunnel with a total length of 204.83 meters. The height of the elevator shaft is 142.7 m. The entrances to the elevators are located on Jovellanos Boulevard, opposite the beach la playa del Postiguet - Calle Jovellanos 1.

On summer nights, the castle hosts festivals and concerts, and in winter, picnics are organized; the area on the lower level is equipped with tables and benches. In the castle itself it is worth visiting some exhibition - informative and interesting.

If you find the necessary loophole exit from the fortress, you can go down the “Great Chinese (Spanish) Wall” and get into the old preserved quarter - Barrio Santa Cruz. Narrow streets with white houses, a labyrinth of mixed smells of life - the aroma of paella and washed clothes wafting from the windows, children kicking, of course, a soccer ball and other flavor.

From the observation decks of the fortress, a delightful panorama opens up, combining views of the sea, the city, road forks, the port, Postiguet beach, as well as neighboring cities: Santa Pola, Benidorm, San Juan, Aitana. It will take your breath away so much that you will want to soar! It is worth enjoying the beauty of the city from the highest point of Alicante.

You can climb the mountain:

• on foot...

The road to the top is winding, through pine groves and gardens.

• by car - from Avenida de Vazquez de Mella (entry and parking are free)

• by elevator - cost 2.40 euros (free for pensioners).

Elevator operating dates and times:

April - September: from 10:00 to 20:00

(last lift up at 19:30, descent at 19:45).
October - March: from 9:00 to 19:00

(last lift up at 18:30, descent at 18:45).

Entrance to the fortress is free.

Nearestparking:

Castillo de Santa Barbara(50 m), on the mountain next to the fortress.
Plaza Alicante(300 m), Plaza Puerta del Mar 3, then by elevator.

1st option - Alicante city + Santa Barbara fortress

Excursion time: 6-7 hours

Cost: 40 euros per person

2nd option - Alicante + Santa Barbara fortress +

Tasting room in Novelda

Route: Torrevieja - Alicante city - 50 min

Excursion time: 8 hours

Cost: 45 euros per person

3rd option - One museum in Alicante + fortress "Santa Barbara"

Route: Torrevieja - Alicante city - 50 min

Excursion time: 6-7 hours

Cost: 35 euros per person

The excursion is organized for a group of at least 2 people.

Any excursions can be combined according to your interest and desire.

The Santa Barbara fortress is called the hallmark of Alicante. It has observation platforms from where tourists can admire magnificent views of the city, port and sea. You can visit the castle completely free of charge. Entrance tickets are sold here only for special exhibitions.

The local Mount Benacantil, which towers above the city, is also called the “face of the Moor”. Its slopes have bizarre shapes. The fortress, which seems to emerge from the rocks, is one of the largest Spanish structures of its kind.

Description of the fortress

Santa Barbara has three levels that occupy different places on the slopes. Their construction was carried out in several stages. The oldest part was built at an elevation of 166 meters above sea level. Here, only the foundations of the Hall of Fame, the English Bastion and the Engineering Park, which were built in the Middle Ages, managed to survive. The upper esplanade is home to fragments of an ancient fortress and the main watchtower of the Moorish period, La Torreta.

The middle level accommodated structures on its territory that were built from 1562 to 1580. We are talking about the Barbara Chapel, which has survived only in fragments, the Hall of Philip II, the Queen's Bastion and the Military Building.

The lower level is equipped with parking and approaches to this historical site. Near Santa Barbara, in the Old Town, you can visit Erete Park. This is a traditional venue for public events.

Current state of the fortress

Santa Barbara welcomes visitors year-round. Here is the wonderful observation deck of the Esplanade Macho del Castillo. Guests of Alicante walk through the halls of the historical museum, which houses restored outbuildings. Here you can see heraldry belonging to the ancient families of the city and antique ceramics, as well as visit a photo gallery. An exhibition of siege and battering weapons is equipped at a special site.

In summer, the fortress is the venue for “full moon nights,” theatrical performances and other events. The Square of Arms is used to show children's performances and concert programs. On the territory of the Engineering Park you can visit a craft fair. The 5 halls of Santa Barbara were perfect for hosting the large exhibition “The Fortress of the Ring”, organized by the Tolkien Society of Spain.

Historical background

Benacantil has been inhabited by people since ancient times, as evidenced by archaeological finds. The fortress was founded by the Moors in the 11th century. It was of strategic importance for the city. From Benacantil you could see everything that was happening in the area, on the roads and in the bay. The fortress was recaptured by Christians in the 13th century. In the next century it was significantly expanded. Carlos I was the initiator of the construction of fortifications, and Philip II - the outbuildings and main halls.

Santa Barbara was repeatedly shelled and destroyed. By the 18th century, it ceased to fulfill its main function - defense against enemies. A prison was created here, after which the fortress was abandoned. In 1963 it was reconstructed and turned into a tourist site.

Legends

People have created more than one legend about Santa Barbara, as well as about other Spanish monuments of the Middle Ages. It is necessary to mention the romantic history associated with the era when the Moors ruled in these places.

The Spanish nobleman Riccardo fell in love with Princess Zahara, whose father was a Muslim ruler. The girl reciprocated his feelings. Meetings of lovers took place outside the walls of the fortress. The young people dreamed of starting a family, but Zakhara’s parent had already decided on a future husband for their daughter. He was to become the Sultan of Damascus. After the princess learned this news, she was overcome by a serious illness. The old Moor wanted, at all costs, to save his daughter from death, but he could not give permission for her marriage to a Christian. Then the ruler decided to cheat. He gave the go-ahead for his daughter’s marriage to a Spanish nobleman, but on the condition that the color of the earth would turn white in the morning. Otherwise, Zahara’s lover will be hanged from the tower. The princess spent the whole night in prayer. At the same time, the orange trees began to shed their petals. In the morning, local residents thought that the territory of the fortress was covered with snow. She turned completely white. But the ruler did not keep his word and hanged Ricardo before sunrise. Having learned about this, the girl threw herself from the tower and crashed on the rocks. The ruler followed her out of grief. From that time on, the deep stone folds of Benacantil imprinted the face of the princess's father.

The hero of the second legend is the commandant of Alicante, Nicholas Paris. In 1248, the Arabs left these places and Alfonso of Castile began to rule the city. In 1296, Jaime II of Aragon and his army attacked the fortress. Local warriors held out until the last. When the Moors killed Paris, they saw in his hand the keys that opened the main gate. They couldn’t even take them from the dead commandant, he held them so tightly. They had to cut off the hero's hand to open the gate. Later, a monument to the commandant appeared in Alicante, and the castle's coat of arms contains an image of a hand with a bunch of keys. Since then, no one else has captured Santa Barbara.

Tourist Information

The castle is accessible to visitors every day. From 1.04. until 30.09. it is open from ten o'clock in the morning to ten in the evening, and from 1.10. until 31.03. - until eight in the evening.

Archaeological finds indicate that people began to settle in Benacantil back in the Bronze Age. Also, many Roman and Iberian artifacts were discovered on the slopes. The construction of full-fledged fortifications began only at the beginning of the 9th century, when the Iberian Peninsula was under Arab rule. In the 13th century, the castle was captured by the troops of Alphonse the Wise, who later became the king of Leon and Castile. The citadel was given over to Christians on the day of St. Barbara, in whose honor it received its name.

Already at the end of the century, the fortress was captured by Jaime II of Aragon, who began its expansion and reconstruction. The reconstruction of the castle continued under subsequent rulers: Pedro IV, Charles V and Philip II. At this time, most of the outbuildings and halls were erected and fortifications were improved. In 1691, the citadel was fired upon by a French squadron; in the 18th century, it was held for several years by the British who took part in the War of the Spanish Succession. Another 100 years later, Santa Barbara withstood the fire of the frigate Numancia, captured by the rebels.

Starting from the 18th century, the fortress gradually lost its strategic importance and fell into disrepair. During the bloody Civil War, its walls were a prison for nationalists, and later for defenders of the Second Republic. Many inscriptions scrawled by the doomed prisoners still survive. For a long time, the Santa Barbara fortress remained abandoned. Only in 1963 it was recognized as a historical monument of national importance and restored. Since then, the citadel has been open to tourists all year round.

Legends of the ancient citadel

Several beautiful legends are associated with the Santa Barbara fortress, passed down from mouth to mouth. The first story dates back to the period of Moorish rule and tells of tragic love. The Spanish nobleman Ricardo and the Muslim princess Zahara were inflamed with passion for each other. They met outside the castle under cover of darkness to hide the relationship from the girl's strict father. But the ruler had already promised to give his daughter as a wife to the Sultan of Damascus, and she was faced with separation from her lover.

Having learned about her father's plans, the princess became seriously ill. The ruler learned about the reason for Zakhara’s worries and, seeing how she was fading every day, decided to use a trick. He promised to bless his unwanted marriage with a Christian if the earth turned white by morning. The princess prayed all night for a miracle, and it happened - flowering orange trees completely covered the city with petals.

But the girl’s father was not going to keep his word - on his orders, Riccardo was hanged before sunrise. The inconsolable girl threw herself off the cliff. Realizing the consequences of his treachery, her cruel father followed her. They say that if you look at the mountain from the north, you can see the face of a grieving Moor in its stone outlines.

The second legend tells of the heroic deed of the commandant of the citadel, Nicholas Paris. In 1296, the garrison of the Santa Barbara fortress tried to repel the attack of the army of Jaime II - the soldiers fought fiercely for every step. Nicholas was the last to die, tightly clutching his sword in one hand and the keys to the main gate in the other. Even after death, his grip did not weaken, so his enemies were able to get the treasured bundle only by cutting off his hand.

The commandant earned the respect of not only his allies, but also his opponents. The coat of arms is engraved with a hand clutching a key, and a monument to Nicholas Paris was erected inside the citadel. It is believed that since then the Santa Barbara fortress has never been captured in battle.

What to see

The Santa Barbara Fortress is located in the city center, within walking distance from the beach, so it is impossible to ignore this monument of ancient history. In summer, it is preferable to visit the site in the morning or late afternoon, as it gets hot during the daytime. It is enough to allocate 2-3 hours for a visit, during which you will have time to go around all corners of the citadel, visit the museum and current exhibitions, have lunch in a cafe, and choose souvenirs.

To enjoy a walk through the Santa Barbara fortress, you don’t have to buy a tour - the history of the castle and the entire city of Alicante is clearly presented here. The building consists of three levels, erected in different eras. The earliest fortifications were built at the very top. At this level there is a Watchtower founded by the Moors. Medieval buildings have also survived here: the Hall of Glory, the English Bastion, and the Engineers' Park. This site offers the most impressive view of the city and the sea, equally mesmerizing day and night.

At the middle level, fortifications from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance have been preserved. Here you will see the Queen's Bastion, the Armory Courtyard, the Hall of Philip II, the ruins of the Church of St. Barbara, the residence of the governor. The lower level of the building dates from the 18th century. Here is the first observation deck with a monument to the military leader Felix Berenguer and parking.

The Santa Barbara fortress has a large number of internal premises: barracks, dungeons, officer shelters, kitchens, ammunition depots. The restored halls contain historical and modern exhibitions dedicated to military craft, culture, and art (painting, photography, sculpture, installations). Visiting museums on site is free.

Engineering Park remains the main venue for craft fairs. The Armory Square is reserved for performances, concerts, and dance evenings. In the evening, on the territory of the Santa Barbara fortress there are performances by artists in national costumes.

The productions are dedicated to ancient traditions and way of life. The actors speak exclusively Spanish, but the event is enjoyable even without knowledge of the language thanks to the expressive intonations and colorful outfits of the participants. The most popular events take place at the foot of the mountain in Ereta Park.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to the Santa Barbara Fortress.

• By elevator - the entrance is located at the foot of the mountain, opposite the Postiguet beach (Jovellanos Boulevard). You can easily purchase a ticket for it right there in the machine.
• By car - enter from Vázquez de Mella street along the road that runs along the northern slope. This path is absolutely free; there is parking on the first level of the fortress.
• With your own feet - the walking route coincides with the car route. It is chosen by tourists who want to enjoy the beauty of the ancient area of ​​Alicante. Here you will see houses, some of which are considered the same age as the fortress. The ascent from the city center takes about 10-15 minutes, allowing you to view the mountain from several angles.

Opening hours and address

The citadel is open to the public on all days, but the exact opening hours depend on the time of year:

• in winter (01.10-31.03) – from 10.00 to 20.00;
• in summer (01.04-30.09) – from 10.00 to 22.00.

On major events, the Santa Barbara Fortress is open until 11:45 p.m. The MUSA City Museum welcomes visitors daily from 10.00 to 20.00 (break from 14.30 to 16.00).

The elevator has been operating since 1963, traveling through a 205-meter tunnel carved into the mountain. Its operating mode coincides with the fortress schedule. The last ascent is 40 minutes, the last descent is 20 minutes before closing. The cost of an elevator ticket is 2.7 euros for adults. Pensioners and children under 5 years old can ride for free. There is no additional cost for the descent.

Address: 03002, Alicante, Plaza del Cuartel, 1.

Phone: (+34) 965 15 29 69.