Southern Spain is home to many incredible medieval structures dating back to the times when Moors and Christians fought for the creed and control of the Iberian Peninsula. In this context, the castles played an important role in the territorial surveillance of the territory and the control of the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of modern-day Spain.
Among all the castles in southern Spain, the Castle of Santa Bárbara stands out for its magnificence, size, and grandeur. For over a thousand years, this castle has witnessed many brutal battles in the Alicante region from this historical centre.
In the following lines, we delve into all the details of this wonderful piece of history located in the historic center of Alacant, or Alicante.
Table of Contents:
- The Castillo de Santa Bárbara | A Fortress at the Top of Alicante!
- What Is Castillo de Santa Barbara?
- Castillo de Santa Bárbara Location
- Visiting One of the Crucial Enclaves of the History of Alicante and the Spanish Culture
- Enjoy Your Private Paradise in Villa Murcia!
What Is Castillo de Santa Barbara?
The Castillo de Santa Bárbara, or Santa Bárbara Castle, is a medieval fortress located at the top of Mount Benacantil in the heart of Alicante, the capital of the municipality of the same name.
It is one of the largest medieval structures in Spain, with a total area of 400,000 square meters. From the castle, you can easily see the city, the port, the entire bay, and even some distant beaches, such as those of San Juan and Campello.
Castillo de Santa Bárbara Location
The Castle of Santa Bárbara is on the highest esplanade of Monte Benacantil, in the center of the city of Alicante, Spain. As such, you will be able to see the castle from anywhere in the settlement and enjoy its spectacular views if you are at the top of this magnificent fortress.
Alicante has an International Airport at a distance of five kilometers south of the city center. This way, if you visit Alicante by plane, you can easily get to the city and take a guided tour of the castle.
It is worth mentioning that Alicante has some of the best beaches in the area. Therefore, if you are visiting the city for summer events and activities, visiting the castle could be a great sight, especially on the Alicante summer night.
Address: Monte Benacantil, Castillo Santa Bárbara, S/N, 03013, Spain
Phone: +34 965 177 201
Email: turismo@alicanteturismo.com
Website: https://alicanteturismo.com/en/castle-of-santa-barbara/
How to Get the Castillo de Santa Barbara
There are four ways to get the Castillo de Santa Bárbara when you‘re inside the city of Alicante:
- By foot. You can reach the castle by crossing the Ereta Park (Parque de la Ereta), the old town of the city, the walls, or the Tuna Park (Parque de la Tuna)
- By elevator. You can take the elevator, which is inside the rock of the mountain. The elevator is in front of the Postiguet beach.
- By car. You can drive through a road that begins in the Calle de Vázquez de Mella (Vázquez de Mella Street). There are parking places at the base of the Santa Barbara castle.
- By bus. You can take the Turibús, a tourist bus that crosses the most important places in Alicante. This bus has a stop in the parking of the Santa Bárbara castle.
Opening hours:
- From October 1 to March 31: from 10 am to 8 pm from Monday to Sunday.
- From April to September: from 10 am to 10 pm from Monday to Sunday.
The Architecture of the Castillo de Santa Bárbara
The Castillo de Santa Bárbara is divided into three different enclosures built in three distinct periods.
The upper one is called “La Torreta” (the tower in English). This is the oldest part of the castle and houses “The Tower of Homenaje,” the Engineers Park, the Governor’s House, and the Noble Room, where the local nobility gathered to pay their respects to the crown.
The middle area houses the large spaces built in the 16th century: the Felipe II Hall (the Philip II Hall, where King Alfonso of the Queen). This second enclosure entails the Guard Corps (El Cuerpo de la Guardia), the Parade Ground (Patio de Armas), and the Queen’s Bastion (El Bastión de la Reina). There is also a large marble shield above the entrance to this enclosure, which belonged to the disappeared Royal Consulate of the Sea.
Finally, in the 18th century, builders built the lower area. It is the location of the Revellín del Bon Repós, which is currently used as a parking lot. It also contains the monument to Félix Berenguer de Marquina, a famous soldier who was the Captain General of the Philippines and Viceroy of New Mexico.
The History of the Castillo de Santa Bárbara
The origin of the Santa Bárbara Castle is a bit nebulous and dates back to the deepest past, beyond the 9th century, with the exact date of construction of the fortress not being clear. Even so, everything seems to indicate that the Arabs began building the fortress in the 8th or 9th century.
However, the place was taken by the Christians in the year of our Lord 1248 at the hands of the future king Alfonso X the Wise.
The conquistadors baptized the fortress Castillo de Santa Bárbara since the final battle to take the fortress occurred on the feast day of Santa Bárbara. They saw this as a sign from God!
Over the years, the castle underwent many extensions and reconstructions, expanding its power and relevance to this region. In this way, for centuries, the castle kept the area safe and free from enemies and Moors.
Still, in the 18th century, the fortress became a prison for the most ruthless murderers and criminals. This prison was very famous throughout the last century until the castle opened to the public after a period of disuse and abandonment.
Activities in the Castillo de Santa Bárbara
The Santa Bárbara Castle is the epicenter of numerous cultural panoramas that attract hundreds of visitors to enter its walls. Visitors will be able to enjoy theatrical performances, gastronomic experiences, guided tours, and themed weekends.
The castle also occasionally hosts exhibitions, concerts, children’s workshops, and multiple activities that you can enjoy throughout the year.
In general terms, the castle’s grand parade becomes the perfect place for celebrations, conferences, presentations, gala dinners, and other crucial events.
Guided tours take visitors to several inaccessible rooms and halls of the old castle, such as the Renaissance cistern located beneath the parade, the old dungeons that house replicas of torture machines, and the Philip II Hall, which is a symbolic room for special events and displays a unique side of the castle.
Visiting One of the Crucial Enclaves of the History of Alicante and the Spanish Culture
Alicante is one of the favorite places on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, where visitors from all European countries come, especially in summer. Here, tourists enjoy the different areas of the city, including the impressive Santa Bárbara castle at the top of Mount Benacantil.
The three distinct areas of the castle will leave you speechless and give you a quick insight into the crucial events of the Middle Ages in the settlement.
Access and tour this castle and discover the past of this magical city on the Mediterranean Sea. This way, you won’t miss a crucial part of Spanish history!
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