Spain

Alicante Castle

Santa Barbara Castle: 1000 years of history

Our adventure begins next to the car park, in the largest of the six cisterns that once supplied the castle – and at one point up to 14,000 soldiers – with water. This structure dates back to the 16th century, and its very high ceilings were carved out of the rock in a way that provided a kind of natural air conditioning, keeping the cistern at a pleasant and even temperature. Here you can learn interesting facts such as how the walls were rubbed with limestone to make them waterproof and how carp were allowed into the water to keep it clean.

Stepping out of the cistern, we meet our first character, Jacinta “La Emperadora” or Jacinta “The Empress”, a beggar woman who recalls a recent chapter in the history of the castle, the 1950s, when Santa Bárbara was abandoned as a refuge for the city’s poor. Jacinta entertains us with tales of what these unusual residents are up to, and also tells us two of the legends surrounding the castle. The first is the legend of La Cara del Moro, or The Face of the Moor, which tells the story of the star-crossed love of Ali and Princess Cántara. The tragic ending, when the princess throws herself out of the castle at the top of Mount Benacantil because she cannot have the man she loves, is seen from El Postiguet beach, leaving behind a Moor’s face carved into the rock – turban and all. Historical fact meets popular legend in the story of Nicolás Peris, the former governor of Santa Bárbara, who fought so desperately to prevent the fortress from falling into the hands of Jaime II in 1256 that he died with the keys in his hand, clutching them so tightly that the only way to free them was to cut off his hand. To this day, it is said that on some nights the wailing of the governor can still be heard as he mourns the loss of his beloved castle. The next stop on the itinerary is the prison: a cold and gloomy place where visitors are introduced to characters who tell the stories of the 50 prisoners held in the jail during the Spanish Civil War. One by one, these prisoners scratched their names into the stone using a circled nail – graffiti that now hangs on the floor of one of the castle’s viewing decks. Around the cramped and dingy casemate, instruments of torture and death are on display, providing an atmospheric backdrop to the stories told by the guides. This theatre tour brings the past to life, highlighting key chapters in the history of the castle with the help of actors. Step into the fires of Remigio el Bombas, the Spanish Revolutionary War. Among other things, he tells the story of how the castle’s Santa Bárbara chapel was blown up, claiming 70 lives, including that of the then governor. And he gives this account from above, from La Tahona, from the ruins of the old flour mill, gesticulating wildly under the powder magazine. You can still see the old mill wheels nearby, if you look closely.

Sunset creeps over us, painting the sky red as we continue our hike. We enter a room in the castle where, among the coats of arms, another historical figure, Doña Violante de Aragón, tells us how she managed to fend off pressure from her anxious husband, Alfonso X El Sabio, to bear him an heir – an heir who would consecrate the alliance between the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon – by feigning a pregnancy that, unsurprisingly, fell short of full term. Violante’s somewhat humorous account was tempered with due historical rigour by our guide Sara, and we the audience are relieved to learn that the couple then had 10 children. Just a few metres away, in the moat, we meet the final character: Marshal Claude d’Asfeld, the main protagonist of the explosion in the mine during the War of the Spanish Succession. The actor, who speaks with a thick French accent, dressed in period costume and holding a sword, reveals the ins and outs of one of the most famous – and most incredible – events in the history of the castle, where French troops had placed 1,500 men. The fuse was lit on 28 February 1709, while the English were having a gala dinner on the roof of the mine – mocking the French marshal’s threats to blow up the castle’s mine. Although the British did not take the 72-hour ultimatum to abandon the castle too seriously, they built a countermine that helped to dampen the explosion but failed to prevent the resulting carnage. Nevertheless, the British managed to hold out against the French siege for 46 days. And of course, Sara, the guide, is there again to put the event in its historical context and provide further details and explanations.

The tour is over, and several visitors stay behind to ask Sara questions, which she answers easily. The castle is illuminated to evoke what it must have been like to live there at different times in its history – periods brought to life by Sara and the actors. The bay is not visible, but its presence is felt, and the sense of great and joyful freedom in the air is palpable. On the slope of Mount Benacantil overlooking the sea is the Ereta Park, an attractive open-air space with a restaurant, café and exhibition hall. From the park you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city and the old town, which is easily accessible via various paths. Interestingly, when viewed from El Postiguet beach, Mount Benacantil looks like a human face in profile, known as “La Cara del Moro” or “The Face of the Moro”, and is one of the most striking images of the city.

Alicante – Benidorm – Aqualandia

Alicante – Benidorm – Aqualandia

Valencia

What to visit in Valencia

10 spectacular sights you won’t want to miss…

The City of Arts and Sciences

Valencia’s own Santiago Calatrava is an example of the most futuristic architecture. The colossal building houses an IMAX cinema (in the Hemisfèric), as well as Europe’s largest aquarium – the Oceanogràfic -, interactive educational exhibitions in the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum and the avant-garde opera house – Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía. In addition, the stunning l’Assut de l’Or bridge and the Agora are all a feast for the senses.

Barrio del Carmen and its castles

This ancient district of the city grew between two walls; the Islamic and Christian city walls. A stroll through these labyrinthine cobbled streets, lined with towering medieval buildings, will transport you back in time to another era in history. Step inside the castles, through the medieval gates of the Serrano and Quart towers, and around every corner – don’t miss it!

Plaza de la Virgen and the Cathedral Quarter

Twenty-one centuries of history right in the heart of the city, where you’ll find historic treasures such as the Cathedral of Valencia, the Micalet, the Basilica of Our Lady and the Almoina. Don’t miss the Tribunal de las Aguas (Water Tribunal), a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site (Thursday at noon).

Plaza del Mercado y Lonja de la Seda (Silk Market)

Immerse yourself in one of Europe’s largest markets, the Mercado Central, a jewel of pre-modernist architecture, and step inside one of the most iconic examples of Gothic architecture in Europe, the Lonja de la Sedaba, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. Next to these, be sure to squeeze in the Santos Juanes church.

Museums

Choose from 34 museums offering art, history, architecture… Discover 18th-century Valencia at the Museo Nacional de Cerámica (National Ceramics Museum), located in the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas. See works by Sorolla, Goya or Zuloaga at the Museo de Bellas Artes San Pío V, learn about the Fallas at the Museo Fallero or see contemporary art at IVAM and MUVIM.

Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

In a triangular layout, eclectic architecture, a central fountain and colourful flower stands add colour to the landscape. It is surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic buildings, such as the Plaza de Toros, the Estación del Norte, the Ayuntamiento de Valencia (City Hall), the Edificio de Correos (Post Office) and the Plaza Redonda, to name but a few. It is best known for hosting the ‘mascletàs’ celebrations that take place in March and during the Fallas.

The beaches of the Royal Marina and Valencia

The Royal Port of Juan Carlos I is one of the city’s most important landmarks, not only for the events that take place there, but also for its unique buildings. It is home to the 19th century harbour shed, the Edificio del Reloj and the Veles e Vents building, which is the emblem of the new marina. There are also shops, terraces and restaurants with stunning views, as well as a children’s park, the Superyachts marina with its magnificent yachts, and the North and South marinas, full of many boats. Just a few metres away are the beaches of El Cabanyal (Las Arenas) and La Malvarrosa, next to the attractive Paseo Marítimo promenade. We recommend you try a delicious paella in one of the beach restaurants or have a drink in one of the bars. For lovers of wilder beaches, we recommend El Saler, next to the Albufera Natural Park.

Albufera Natural Park

The Albufera Natural Park will transport you to a world of unspoilt, pure nature, where the only sounds you will hear are birdsong and water. The reserve, unspoilt by man and protected from humans, is just 10 km from the city. A visit here will reveal your passion for the Valencian environment and help you discover the origins of our gastronomy.

The Turia Gardens

The 9 km garden is located on the old Turia riverbed. It is a real green area that stretches from the west of the city to the east, all the way to the City of Arts and Sciences. Explore it by bike or by train. Also, it’s definitely worth a pit stop at the Palau de la Música, stopping to enjoy the unique bridges that cross it from north to south.

Bioparc and Oceanogràfic

To the west of the east, Valencia is packed with leisure and educational programmes to learn about wildlife, such as an African safari through Bioparc, or a tour of the underwater world at Oceanogràfic, where you’ll have the chance to see tropical fish from as far away as the Arctic and the seas of Japan. Get the ‘nature package’ for a range of great offers.