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Places in Spain -
Alicante
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The region
of
Alicante
is located
on the
eastern
coast of
Spain and
is part of
the
Costa
Blanca,
wedged
between
Murcia
in the
south, and
Valencia
in the
north. The
city of
Alicante
is on the
coastline
between
Benidorm
and
Elche.
Also
included
is
Orihuela.
Alicante
city has a
population
of over
300,000
and
combines
both
classic
and modern
societies,
living in
harmony.
It offers
business
and
pleasure,
entertainment
and
education.
its
history
reaches
back to
prehistoric
times with
remains
being
found here
from the
third
century
before
Christ.
Today,
Alicante
is a first
rate
tourist
centre
thanks to
its
splendid
beaches,
excellent
climate
and well
known
facilities.
Besides
its golden
beaches
and
impressive
Paseo
Maritimo,
Alicante
has a
wealth of
history to
offer the
visitor
and has an
impressive
mountain-top
castle.
The city
also has a
range of
18th
century
manor
houses,
all worthy
of a
visit. We
personally
found
Alicante a
city in
two parts.
The
seafront
was quite
attractive
yet one
street in
and the
city had a
scruffy
appearance.
There
wasn’t
really
that much
to see in
the city.
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Among its
churches
is the
Iglesia de
Santa
Maria,
which is
the oldest
church in
the city
and was
built
between
the 14th
and 16th
centuries.
It was
once the
main
mosque
during
Moorish
times. Its
front
comprises
of two
solid
looking
towers and
wonderful
Baroque
stonework.
The church
houses
several
important
works of
art. The
Cathedral
de San
Nicolas
was built
between
1616 and
1662 and
stands
over 45
metres
tall. The
Communion
Chapel
inside is
considered
to be one
of the
most
beautiful
examples
of Spanish
Baroque.
St Nicolas
is the
patron
saint of
the city
so this
Cathedral
is one of
the most
important
buildings
in the
city. The
Monastery
de la
Santa Faz
is 5km
from the
city
centre and
is now
used as a
convent of
the order
of St
Clare.
Although
being
built in
1752,
there are
remains
here
dating
from 1582
in the
form of a
defence
tower. |
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Scattered
around the
city are
numerous
statues
and
columns
dedicated
to patrons
of the
city. Many
of the
roundabouts
contain a
monument
of some
description.
When it
comes to
museums,
Alicante
has its
fair
share. The
archaeology
museum,
created in
1932 has
an
extensive
collection
of
artefacts
and is
known to
be one of
the best
in Spain.
The museum
is now
housed in
a new
building
and
incorporates
the most
modern of
multimedia
displays. |
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The
Castillo
de Santa
Barbara is
one of the
largest
medieval
fortresses
in Europe.
It
occupies
the entire
summit and
a large
proportion
of the
slopes of
the
Benacantil
mountain.
It
commands a
unique
look-out
over the
coastline,
the Bay of
Alicante
and the
surrounding
farmland.
Remains
from the
Bronze-age
have been
discovered
on this
site. The
castle has
three
enclosures
of
differing
dates,
each with
unique
features.
The castle
can be
accessed
by a road
leading up
the
western
slope of
the
mountain,
winding
its way
through
pine
trees. |
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You can
also visit
the castle
by means
of an
elevator
that
ascends
from the
Paseo
Maritimo.
Entrance
to the
castle is
free but
there is a
charge for
using the
elevator.
EU Senior
citizens
and
disabled
don’t have
to pay.
Alicante
also has
an array
of palaces
worth
visiting,
including
the Gavina
Palace
which now
houses the
Provincial
Gallery
with fine
paintings
from the
19th
century.
The main
theatre
dates from
1847 and
is a fine
example of
classical
construction. |
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The
bullring
is one of
the oldest
in Spain
still in
use. Built
in 1849 it
has since
been
restored
and
enlarged.
The
current
design
dates from
1888.
Alicante
is a major
education
centre and
has an
impressive
university,
founded in
1979. At
present it
has over
30,000
students
on a
campus
covering
over one
million
square
metres.
The
university
has six
higher
schools,
seven
colleges
and seven
university
institutes.
It has
branches
in several
provincial
towns. |
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Recreation
is the key
word in
Alicante
and to
this end
there are
numerous
parks,
gardens
and plazas
in which
to soak up
the sun
and the
atmosphere.
Most have
impressive
water
features,
monuments
and
statues.
When it
comes to
beaches,
the Playa
de San
Juan is
considered
to be one
of the
finest in
Spain. A
broad
beach,
some 5km
long that
has all
the
facilities
you would
expect,
from
hotels,
bars,
restaurants
and even
an 18 hole
golf
course.
There are
three
small
coves,
Palmera,
Cantalares
and Judios.
They are
difficult
to access
and
therefore
appropriate
as nudist
beaches.
The small,
sandy
Almadraba
beach and
the well
hidden
Albufereta
beach are
ideal for
water
sports in
safe
surroundings.
Further
south is
the Playa
del Coco,
next to
the
regional
railway
station.
This beach
connects
to Playa
del
Postiguet,
located
close to
the city
centre,
with an
attractive
promenade,
flanked by
palm
trees. The
last of
the city's
beaches is
Saladar,
broad,
sandy and
open. The
pedestrian
walkway
here gives
panoramic
views of
the bay of
Alicante. |
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Located 11
miles
south of
Alicante
is a
guitar-shaped
island
with a
total area
of 30
hectares.
The Island
of Tabarca
has a
curious
history
and has a
firm place
in ancient
Greek
history.
It was
once a
refuge for
Berber
pirates
and in
1760, King
Carlos III
ordered a
fortress
to be
built
here. It
is
possible
to take a
boat ride
from
Alicante
to the
island.
The old
quarter of
the city
is a maze
of small
streets
climbing
the hill.
Many of
the
streets
are lined
with
curios
balconies
and
multi-coloured
buildings.
Higher up
are
white-washed
houses
that offer
panoramic
views of
the city
and the
bay. |
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The
harbour
has been
the
strength
of the
city for
centuries,
sending
products
abroad and
bringing
in goods
from all
over the
world. It
was once
the port
of Madrid.
Today,
modern
facilities
combine
with
tradition
and
history to
provide a
thriving
centre. As
well as a
working
fishing
fleet
there are
pleasure
crafts and
passenger
vessels,
nautical
schools
and
sailing
clubs.
There is
also a
wide
selection
of bars
and
restaurants.
Some of
the finest
fish
restaurants
can be
found here
as well as
a
pulsating
nightlife. |
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Alicante
is a
cultural
centre and
has a
varied
selection
of events
and
fiestas.
At the end
of June a
traditional
arts and
crafts
market is
staged in
Plaza de
la
Santisima
Faz and
nearby
streets.
The event
has a
medieval
theme.
During
July and
August the
new
esplanade
in front
of the
port comes
alive for
the summer
festival
with
constant
theatrical
performances
and
concerts.
The fist
ten days
of
December
sees the
International
Puppet
Festival
that
attracts
people
from all
over the
world -
one of the
finest
events of
its kind
in the
world. For
more
fiestas in
Alicante
click here
We have
investigated
Alicante
several
times as
part of
our Costa
Blanca
tours and
found
Alicante
to be a
little
overwhelming.
It is a
typical
large city
with the
city life
to go with
it. Its
beaches
are of a
high
standard
and within
the city
there are
ample,
beautiful,
quiet
places to
rest. The
shopping
is first
class, as
is the
cuisine in
the many
bars and
restaurants. |
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From
Alicante,
take a
side step
to
Benidorm
with its
miles of
golden
beaches or
head south
to the
wonderful
port of
Santa Pola.
To the
north,
above Benidorm
you find
Calpe
and
Altea.
An
excursion
inland can
be made to
Busot to
see the
Cuevas del
Canelobre.
The caves
are 24km
from
Alicante
and house
the
highest
vaults in
the whole
of Spain.
The
interior
reminds
you of a
cathedral
interior
with its
coloured
lights
illuminating
the rock
and
mineral
formations.
Busot also
offers the
visitor
many
hiking
routes
with
unique
views and
a range of
restaurants
with local
cuisine.
More caves
can be
found at
Vall d'Ebo,
some 30km
from
Denia. The
Cova del
Rull is
open from
10.30am
until 5pm
(8.30pm
April-September).
Tel 965
571 413. |
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