Spain, Alicante - "Alicante - Spanish flavor, clear sea, Santa Barbara Castle."

Fortress Santa Barbara (Spain) - description, history, location. The exact address, phone, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.

• Tours for May to Spain
• Hot tours around the world

Previous photo Next photo

One of the largest medieval fortifications in Spain - the fortress of Santa Barbara - stands on the slopes and top of Mount Benacantil, not so high - at an altitude of 166 m. But it is almost impossible to convince astonished tourists of this. The monumental fortress is visible from any alley of Alicante and serves as an excellent landmark, and its upper platform still fulfills its long-standing purpose - it opens up a panoramic view of the surroundings.

Story

Mount Benacantil began to be inhabited already in the Bronze Age - as evidenced by the finds of archaeologists, and strategically strengthened - in the 9th century, during the period of Arab rule. In the middle of the 13th century, Christians conquered Santo Barbara. It happened on the day of St. Barbara, hence its name. At the end of the century, new walls and towers were erected in the fortress, after 300 years - the main halls and utility blocks. In the 17th century, the fortress was shelled by the French squadron, in the 18th century, during the War of the Spanish Succession, it suffered from the British. After 100 years, the fortification withstood the volleys of the rebellious Spanish battleship, then lost its defensive value, replacing it with a forced one - Santa Barbara turned into a prison. And then it was completely abandoned for a long time. Only in 1963 it was reconstructed and given to tourists without a fight.

What to watch

The fortress has three levels, which are different eras. It is better to inspect them in the summer in the morning or evening hours - it is too hot during the day. Moving up and down the paved paths, getting into narrow passages, passing through stone arches, looking into niches and shelters, one wonders how everything is thought out here.

On the uppermost esplanade, known as the buttress of the castle, is the Watchtower of Moorish times. A little lower, medieval buildings survived: the hall of fame, the governor's house and the English bastion. The loopholes have preserved cast-iron cannons.

At the middle level - buildings of the 16th century. This is a military building with a museum of torture inside, main tower fortresses, water tanks, Armory Square, the ruins of the chapel of St. Barbara, the queen's bastion hanging over the cliff. A little lower is an underground dungeon and a platform with ancient wall and siege weapons. On the lower level are the first observation platform and parking.

There are many on the territory of the fortress interior spaces: barracks for soldiers, ammunition depots, shelters for officers, kitchens. Several of them housed the Museum of the History of Alicante with expositions of bas-reliefs, heraldry, busts of famous Spaniards and antique dishes.

Santa Barbara today is not only historical Museum. It hosts exhibitions of sculpture, modern graphics, avant-garde painting, photography and other bizarre installations. Craft fairs are held in the Engineering Park. Armory Square hosts concerts, theatrical performances, performances for children and dance evenings.

Practical information

Address: Alicante, Av de Juan Bautista Lafora, 6.

Opening hours: April 1-September 30: from 10:00 to 22:00, October 1-March 31: from 10:00 to 20:00. Free admission.

Archaeological finds indicate that people began to settle in Benacantil in the Bronze Age. Also on the slopes found a lot of Roman, Iberian artifacts. The construction of full-fledged fortifications began only at the beginning of the 9th century, when the Iberian Peninsula was under the rule of the Arabs. In the XIII century, the castle was captured by the troops of Alphonse the Wise, who later became the king of Leon and Castile. The citadel passed to the Christians on the day of St. Barbara, after whom it got 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, fortifications were improved. In 1691, the citadel was shelled by a French squadron; in the 18th century, it was held by the British for several years, participating in the War of Spanish Succession. After another 100 years, Santa Barbara withstood the fire of the Numancia frigate, captured by the rebels.

Starting from the 18th century, the fortress gradually lost its strategic importance and fell into disrepair. During the years of bloodshed civil war its walls were a prison for nationalists, and later for the defenders of the Second Republic. Until now, many inscriptions scratched by the doomed prisoners have been preserved. For a long time, the fortress of Santa Barbara 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 year-round tourists.

Legends of the ancient citadel

Several beautiful legends are connected with the fortress of Santa Barbara, passed from mouth to mouth. The first story refers to the period of the Moors and tells about tragic love. The Spanish nobleman Riccardo and the Muslim princess Zahara were inflamed with passion for each other. They met outside the castle under cover of night 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 to be separated from her lover.

Upon learning of her father's plans, the princess fell seriously ill. The ruler learned about the cause of Zakhara's experiences and, seeing how she fades every day, decided to go for a trick. He promised to bless the unwanted marriage with a Christian if the earth turned white by morning. The princess prayed all night for a miracle, and it happened - blossoming 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 a cliff. Realizing the consequences of her deceit, her cruel father followed her. It is said 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 fortress of Santa Barbara tried to repel the attack of the army of Jaime II - the soldiers fought fiercely for every step. Last to die Nicholas, 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 the enemies could get the treasured bundle only by cutting off the brush.

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

What to watch

Santa Barbara Fortress is located in the city center, within walking distance from the beach, so ignore this monument ancient history impossible. In summer, it is preferable to visit the sight in the morning or in the 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 expositions, have lunch in a cafe, and choose souvenirs.

To enjoy a walk through the fortress of Santa Barbara, it is not necessary to buy a tour - the history of the castle and the entire city of Alicante is presented here clearly. The building consists of three levels built in different eras. The earliest fortifications were built on the very top. At this level is the Watchtower, founded by the Moors. Medieval buildings have also survived here: the Hall of Fame, the English bastion, the Engineering 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 Bastion of the Queen, the Armory, the hall of Philip II, the ruins of the Church of St. Barbara, the residence of the governor. The lower building level dates back to the 18th century. Here are the first observation deck with a monument to the military leader Felix Berenguer and parking.

Fortress Santa Barbara has a large number of internal premises: barracks, dungeons, officer shelters, kitchens, ammunition depots. The restored halls house historical and modern expositions dedicated to military craft, culture, art (painting, photography, sculpture, installations). Museums on site are free to visit.

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

The performances are dedicated to ancient traditions and way of life. The actors speak only Spanish, but the event is a pleasure even without knowing the language thanks to the expressive intonations, colorful outfits of the participants. The most massive events take place at the foot of the mountain in Eret Park.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to Santa Barbara Fortress.

• By elevator - the entrance is located at the foot of the mountain, opposite the Postiguet beach (Jovellanos Boulevard). It is easy to buy a ticket for it right there in the machine.
• By car - the entrance is from Vazquez de Mella via the north slope road. This path is absolutely free, parking is equipped on the first level of the fortress.
• With your feet - hiking route matches the car. It is chosen by tourists who want to enjoy the beauty of the ancient district of Alicante. Here you will see houses, some of which are considered the same age as the fortress. The rise 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 season:

• 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 event days, Santa Barbara Fortress is open until 11:45 pm. 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, passing through a 205-meter tunnel cut into the mountain. Its mode of operation coincides with the schedule of the fortress. The last ascent is 40 minutes, the last descent - 20 minutes before closing. The cost of the lift ticket is 2.7 euros for adults. Senior citizens and children under 5 years old can ride for free. There is no additional charge for the descent.

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

Phone: (+34) 965 15 29 69.

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 - from Santa Barbara Castle on Mount Benacantil, towering 169 meters above the city and the beach.

That is why the panoramic views from the mountain are simply fantastic, in all directions, and the small turrets undoubtedly adorn it very much. I don't want to let go of my camera!

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

By the way, you will definitely not be alone at the top - this place is very fond of seagulls:

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 the hands of Christians, 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 not far away, 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 comfortable paths, no safety shoes or special physical training are required. Unless I advise you to do this in July-August noon, 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 need to get there first!).

In the photo: one of the ways up, 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 paths up).

You can also drive 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 is not easy to find a place.

Entrance to the elevator from the castle from the "first floor" (from the building on the middle level, but there is also on the almost upper level):

Yes, the elevator is paid, if I'm not mistaken, 2.70 euros a ticket to travel up and back per person.

From myself I advise you to go down towards the sea (look for a path almost from the gates of the castle, unpaved, which goes around the mountain along the perimeter, and further in that direction along any paths-paths): in addition to the fact that there is planted on the slope beautiful park with trees, bushes, herbs and flowers (something of this splendor is always in bloom), there are also several small fountains.

And if you carefully look around and try to get out into the small but terribly ancient Moorish quarter of Santa Cruz at the foot of the mountain, you will surely succeed too.

In the photo: the Santa Cruz area, dates back to the 11th century.

Let's go to Santa Barbara! Finally, we chose the whole day to walk around Alicante and see with our own eyes the fortress of Santa Barbara, not from afar, but from the inside. Before that, I had been here many times, but I always left the fortress “for later”.
I didn’t want to gallop through Europe here, it takes an hour or two to wander around the vast territory of the fortress: have breakfast, enjoying the view of the sea and the city, delve a little into history and learn about facts and myths.

Interesting fact: locals they say that if you look at the mountain from the La Santa Cruz area, then its appearance resembles a human face. Residents say “the face of the Moor”, which is a symbol of the city. Some historians believe that the name of Mount Benacantil comes from the Arabic "pinna" or "peña" in Latin ( Auricle) and "laqanti" is an adjective used to describe Arabs from the province of Laqant in Alicante.

Do you want to know the legend of Mount Bencantil, which is popularly known as "Cara del Moro" (translated as "the face of the Moor")? Well, listen)) Or rather, read the legend of Princess Zahra and the face of the Moor.

Once, during a ball, Princess Zahra went out to one of the courtyards of the fortress to admire the beautiful sea ​​view. Suddenly, a stranger's voice was heard from the darkness: a young man approached and fervently declared his love.

His courage and sincerity conquered the princess, and, having learned that the young man was a Christian, Zahra warned him about the danger of staying in the castle. The princess helped her lover escape through a secret corridor, and she herself returned to the ball beaming and happy.
Seeing his beautiful daughter, the father immediately offered her as a wife to the Sultan of Damascus.

From that day on, Zahra began to get sick. Her mood was replaced by bouts of unbridled joy, then despair. The nurse immediately suspected something was wrong and began to follow the princess. And then one day, she managed to meet Zahra's lover, who introduced himself as Ricardo de Oñate.

He told the nurse that he and his father were Christians, from a noble family who fought most fiercely against the Muslim ruler. His family decided to leave their homeland, but Riccardo himself could not do this, because his heart remained here, with Zahra.

The nurse immediately went to the ruler to tell what had happened. The father, distraught with rage, ordered the young man to be seized and executed for invading the palace.

The pain struck Princess Zahra, and, seeing how her skin turned pale and her eyes grew dull, the ruler softened somewhat. “I will only let you marry him if the ground turns white tomorrow. And if not, he will be executed,” he said. All night the unfortunate princess prayed for a miracle.

In the morning everyone was amazed: orange and almond trees were buried in white! When Zahra came to her father to tell him about the miracle and ask him to change his mind, high tower she saw the lifeless body of her lover. The treacherous ruler did not keep his word, and the princess rushed to the dead Riccardo and, embracing him, jumped from the cliff in despair.
Since then, the image of a cruel ruler, grieving for his daughter, has been imprinted on the mountain. For centuries, his face is distorted by the winds, the rains beat and the sun scorches.

A bit about history

Not the most positive legend, well, let's get closer to history. On the slopes of Mount Benacantil were found archaeological sites Bronze Age mixed with traces of the culture of the Iberians and Romans. But researchers believe that the fortress of Santa Barbara was built at the end of the 9th century, during the reign of Muslims.

On December 4, 1248, the fortress was captured by the troops of Alfonso X of Castile, who later entered the history of Spain as King Alfonso X the Wise. It was on the fourth of December that St. Barbara's day was celebrated, so the fortress received its wide famous name- Santa Barbara.

By the way, if we are already talking about Saint Barbara, let's remember that in 1108, at the time Ancient Russia, Princess Barbara brought the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara to Kyiv. Now they are stored in the Vladimir Cathedral.

In 1296 Jaime II the Just began the reconstruction of the fortress. Santa Barbara has undergone various changes under almost every ruler. Repeatedly the fortress was shelled.

In the 18th century, the fortress had already ceased to have a strategic military purpose and even served as a building for a prison during the brutal Civil War (1936-1939).

Let's dive into history a little more.

The enmity between the monarchists and the republicans reached its peak in 1930. The chairman of the government under King Alfonso XIII, Miguel Primo de Rivera, resigned because he could not fulfill his promises and did not achieve the national unity of the country, to which he stubbornly walked for seven years.

The 1931 elections were crowned with a Republican victory. Alfonso XIII, in response to this state of affairs, showed deep wisdom and sincere love for his people. In order to prevent a fraternal war, he renounced the throne. The monarchical style of government in Spain peacefully changed to a republican one. It would seem that the conflict has been settled and it is necessary to live peacefully and amicably. But in 1936, nationalist sentiments were activated throughout the country, they were formed under the influence of Hitler's actions in Germany.

The outbreak of war was provoked by the death of the Republican officer Castillo, who was killed by the nationalists. Revenge was swift - the assassination of one of the leaders of the right, Calvo Sotelo. These events developed into a rebellion against the established order.

The fortress of Santa Barbara became a prison, first for the nationalists, and then for the adherents of the Second Republic. Today you can still see the engravings and inscriptions of the prisoners of the fortress.

For a long time the fortress remained in an abandoned state, and only in 1963, after restoration, the fortress was opened to the public. In the same year, the famous elevator appeared, which transports passengers inside the mountain (lift height - 142.70 m).

Fortress Santa Barbara consists of three buildings.

The most famous of them is "La torreta", it is old tower Torre del Homenaje. At one time it served as a fortification. Archaeologists attribute its foundation to the XI - XIII century. Over the course of history, the fortress changed its purpose, there was both a hospital and a governor's house.

The middle part of the fortress is also of no less importance. These walls witnessed the events of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

The lower part of the fortress, Revellín del Bon Repós, dates back to the 18th century. Today it functions as a parking lot and observation deck. Here you will enjoy breathtaking views.

There are many cafes on the territory of the fortress, we decided to have breakfast in one of them: beautiful view but the food leaves much to be desired. But even the frozen cheesecake and the spreading Canneloni could not spoil our mood and general impression🙂 Next time we will come here to enjoy the view of the night Alicante and just drink tea, we will have dinner in a different place 🙂

In the same place, in the fortress, you can visit an exhibition and sale of paraphernalia from films. What we saw there can be seen here.

Schedule:

winter period
(from October 1 to March 31): from 10:00 to 20:00 every day.
Summer period
(from April 1 to June 30 and all of September) from 10:00 to 22:00 every day.
July and August
from 10:00 to 22:00.
On the days of performances, the fortress is open until 23.45