Santa Barbara Castle

When on holiday in Alicante, you won’t fail to notice the Santa Barbara Castle that is situated on one of the highest points within the city. It is one of the oldest buildings within the city, and is well worth a visit. You can learn plenty about Alicante’s past by spending a few hours wondering round this ancient monument.

The History of the Santa Barbara Castle

The Santa Barbara Castle is one of the largest medieval fortresses within the entirety of Europe. It was built during the Moorish settlement in the 10th century. The castle is named after the day when the Moorish people battled with King Alfonso the Wise – this is now known as Saint Barbara’s day. Spain contains plenty of architectural splendours from this period, and many can still be spotted around the country today. The Santa Barbara Castle is just one of remaining buildings, and over the eras it has developed and expanded as others officials and royal came to own it.

How to get there?

Energetic holidaymakers could walk up the bending roads to the Santa Barbara Castle. However try and do this before midday as the heat would make the walk uncomfortable. The sights and surroundings make up for the incline as you are able to enjoy panoramic views across Alicante. You could also walk through the close-by parks and pine wood gardens in order to spot some of the exotic foliage and flowers within Alicante.

However if you want an easier option, there is an elevator which can be reached through an unusual tunnel carved out of the rock. There is a car park near the summit which is free of charge, but you cannot reach the top by car.

Special Evening Entertainment

During the summer months, the Town Hall put on a multitude of castle evenings. These take place between July and August, perfect for the many holidaymakers who descend upon Alicante during this time. The concerts are put on at 10pm every Friday and Saturday night in the courtyard of Santa Barbara Castle, and are also free of charge. The nights have an excellent atmosphere as the ancient Santa Barbara Castle is the most perfect backdrop for the live music that plays out into the warm Spanish air.