Fortress of Santa Barbara in Alicante, Spain. Fortress of Santa Barbara (Barbara) in Alicante Mount Santa Barbara in Alicante

Tourists come to the city of Alicante not only to lie on the beach and admire the beautiful bodies of vacationers. In this regard, Alicante may even be inferior to many “lazy” resort towns. Most people come here to see the sights of Alicante, of which there are many.

We have already said that this city was not captured only by the lazy, and that at one time it was inherited by the Moors, who made a good contribution to the development of Alicante. They turned their attention to Mount Benacantil(or Benacantil - whichever is more convenient), which is very difficult to miss... At a height of just over one hundred and fifty meters above sea level, it stands out quite well against the background of the rest of Alicante. So, it was here that the first stone of the capital fortress was laid, which was later named by the Spaniards themselves in honor of Saint Barbara, Santa Barbara (Barbara is read as Barbara in Spanish, yeah), aka El Castillo de Santa Barbara.

The fortress was rebuilt, modified, and new fortification elements (towers and walls) were added. At one time it was impregnable. But the years passed, the fortress was torn apart either by the loving French or by the boring English... many did not like it, so it suffered greatly in various wars. But what remains of it is enough to satisfy the curiosity of tourists.

Walking around the Santa Barbara fortress

El Castillo de Santa Barbara is considered the main historical attraction of Alicante. It is here that the gaze of everyone who visits this city for the first time rests. You can get here not only by road, but also by a special elevator , the mine of which is carved out of Mount Benacantil. The most crazy tourists may try to get here in some other way, for example, by conquering a mountain - there are some, even though this is prohibited.

As a rule, the Santa Barbara fortress opens at 9 a.m., and at 7 p.m. the workers of this open-air museum politely drive tourists out of it. The best time to visit the site is in the morning or evening. An hour is enough to explore the fortress inside and out.

At the top of Alicante

This entire fortification structure consists of three levels. For most tourists, the top of the Santa Barbara fortress is of particular interest. From here you have a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings. Here you feel like a real king of the mountain, but you shouldn’t loudly advertise this state, as the ego of other visitors to the historical site may suffer. Having stroked our vanity a little, we begin to examine Tower of the Vassal Oath(Vassal Tower or also La Torre del Homenaje). This is where the “bunker”, shelter and the like are located, where you can hide when you feel that the fortress has already been captured by conquerors and other bad people. In this place, for obvious reasons, certain parts of the most ancient buildings that were erected by those same Moors have been preserved.

What else is of interest to tourists? For example, Engineering Park, Hall of Fame, English Bastion and some other buildings. If you are not lazy and point your feet towards the upper esplanade, you can admire the remains of the ancient citadel. The famous Watchtower in Alicante is also located here.

Santa Barbara. Let's go down one level

The middle level of the fortress is distinguished by an abundance of architectural monuments erected by the Spanish owners. Here is the Military Building, the Armory Courtyard and King Philip's Hall No. 2. The ruins of the Varvara Chapel, in whose honor the fortress was named, are well preserved... You can also see the Guard Corps and the Queen’s Bastion. The monotony of stones, especially on a hot day, can get quite boring, so it’s better to wander here in the evening.

El Castillo de Santa Barbara is very beautiful at night: the special lighting gives the fortress a certain amount of mystery. But it’s usually difficult to persuade the guards to go for a night walk.

At the bottom of the fortress

Let's just say that at the base of Santa Barbara (Alicante) there is a parking lot and a monument to one of the local militaristic heroes, Felix Berenguer. As it is, nothing remarkable, except that the parking lot is quite spacious.

Proudly stretching its grandeur over the Mediterranean Sea, the Castle of Santa Barbara rises on Mount Benacantil. It is located almost in the center of the famous Spanish resort of Alicante at an altitude of 166 m in close proximity to the sea. The fortress is the main tourist attraction in the city and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. And from its observation platforms there is simply a stunning view of the picturesque bay, city and port.

The first fortifications on the rock took place in the 3rd century BC, when the ancient Greeks founded their settlement here. And then this territory passed to the ancient Romans and then to the Iberians. And in the 9th century, the Moors (Muslims) began to build their citadel on this rock, and it already had a look more or less close to that of the castle today. This citadel was the most important strategic point in those days and could control all entrances to the city. From it you can see the entire bay, as well as nearby areas right up to the mountains. No one dared to attack these impregnable walls. But the castle dates back to the 13th century, when it received its current name and came under Christian rule. So, on December 4, 1248, namely on St. Barbara’s Day, the future king Alfonso the Tenth, who bore the nickname the Wise and was then still the Infante Alfonso of Castile, recaptured this fortress from the Moors. That's why it was named after Saint Barbara.

The castle was rebuilt many times over several centuries, it withstood several sieges and was bombarded by the British. The most serious reconstructions of the fortress took place in the Middle Ages. Among the most significant architectural parts of the castle are the Tower of Honors, the Chapel of St. Barbara, the English Bastion and the Queen's Bastion, the Philip II Hall, and the Governor's House. In addition, on the territory of the fortress there are cannon platforms and a powder warehouse, an underground prison, drawbridges, various residences and bastions. As for the cannons, on some of them you can see images of a double-headed eagle and Russian-language inscriptions. This indicates that these guns were probably captured.

Currently Various exhibitions are held in the castle premises. These are works of modern and ultra-modern art, graphics, exhibitions of avant-garde painting, photography, sculpture, intricate and whimsical installations.

To get to Santa Barbara Castle without any difficulty, you should use a special elevator, in which a green arrow indicates the approximate location of the passage to it. The fare there and back is about 2.4 euros. The schedule needs to be clarified. You can also get there by car, following the red arrow on the roadway and leaving your vehicle (if there is space, of course) in the free small parking lot at the top. For lovers of hiking there is also the opportunity to get to the fortress. To do this, there are two walking passages, indicated by blue and red arrows on the diagram.

Opening hours of the Santa Barbara Castle:

Archaeological finds indicate that people began to settle in Benacantil back in the Bronze Age. Also, many Roman and Iberian artifacts were discovered on the slopes. The construction of full-fledged fortifications began only at the beginning of the 9th century, when the Iberian Peninsula was under Arab rule. In the 13th century, the castle was captured by the troops of Alphonse the Wise, who later became the king of Leon and Castile. The citadel was given over to Christians on the day of St. Barbara, in whose honor it received 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 and fortifications were improved. In 1691, the citadel was fired upon by a French squadron; in the 18th century, it was held for several years by the British who took part in the War of the Spanish Succession. Another 100 years later, Santa Barbara withstood the fire of the frigate Numancia, captured by the rebels.

Starting from the 18th century, the fortress gradually lost its strategic importance and fell into disrepair. During the bloody Civil War, its walls were a prison for nationalists, and later for defenders of the Second Republic. Many inscriptions scrawled by the doomed prisoners still survive. For a long time, the Santa Barbara fortress 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 tourists all year round.

Legends of the ancient citadel

Several beautiful legends are associated with the Santa Barbara fortress, passed from mouth to mouth. The first story dates back to the period of Moorish rule and tells of 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 darkness 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 faced with separation from her lover.

Having learned about her father's plans, the princess became seriously ill. The ruler learned about the reason for Zakhara’s worries and, seeing how she was fading every day, decided to use a trick. He promised to bless his unwanted marriage with a Christian if the earth turned white by morning. The princess prayed all night for a miracle, and it happened - flowering 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 the cliff. Realizing the consequences of his treachery, her cruel father followed her. They say 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 Santa Barbara fortress tried to repel the attack of the army of Jaime II - the soldiers fought fiercely for every step. Nicholas was the last to die, 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 his enemies were able to get the treasured bundle only by cutting off his hand.

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

What to see

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

To enjoy a walk through the Santa Barbara fortress, you don’t have to buy a tour - the history of the castle and the entire city of Alicante is clearly presented here. The building consists of three levels, erected in different eras. The earliest fortifications were built at the very top. At this level there is a Watchtower founded by the Moors. Medieval buildings have also survived here: the Hall of Glory, the English Bastion, and the Engineers' Park. This site offers the most impressive views 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 Queen's Bastion, the Armory Courtyard, the Hall of Philip II, the ruins of the Church of St. Barbara, the residence of the governor. The lower level of the building dates from the 18th century. Here is the first observation deck with a monument to the military leader Felix Berenguer and parking.

The Santa Barbara fortress has a large number of internal premises: barracks, dungeons, officer shelters, kitchens, ammunition depots. The restored halls contain historical and modern exhibitions dedicated to military craft, culture, and art (painting, photography, sculpture, installations). Visiting museums on site is free.

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

The productions are dedicated to ancient traditions and way of life. The actors speak exclusively Spanish, but the event is enjoyable even without knowledge of the language thanks to the expressive intonations and colorful outfits of the participants. The most popular events take place at the foot of the mountain in Ereta Park.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to the Santa Barbara Fortress.

• By elevator - the entrance is located at the foot of the mountain, opposite the Postiguet beach (Jovellanos Boulevard). You can easily purchase a ticket for it right there in the machine.
• By car - enter from Vázquez de Mella street along the road that runs along the northern slope. This path is absolutely free; there is parking on the first level of the fortress.
• With your own feet - the walking route coincides with the car route. It is chosen by tourists who want to enjoy the beauty of the ancient area of ​​Alicante. Here you will see houses, some of which are considered the same age as the fortress. The ascent 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 time of year:

• 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 events, the Santa Barbara Fortress is open until 11:45 p.m. 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, traveling through a 205-meter tunnel carved into the mountain. Its operating mode coincides with the fortress schedule. The last ascent is 40 minutes, the last descent is 20 minutes before closing. The cost of an elevator ticket is 2.7 euros for adults. Pensioners and children under 5 years old can ride for free. There is no additional cost for the descent.

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

Phone: (+34) 965 15 29 69.

On the Mediterranean coast of Spain, on the top of Benacantil, in Alicante stands a magnificent castle with the beautiful name Santa Barbara. This is one of the main symbols of the sunny resort city.

Fortress of Santa Barbara (Spain) is a widely visited and popular place among tourists.

Even the most exciting journey to the castle is fraught with many unexpected and pleasant surprises. A one and a half hour excursion through its territory gives a lot of positive emotions and vivid impressions.

general description

The medieval castle is a triumph of engineering and military architecture. It rises majestically above the beautiful city at an altitude of 166 meters. This is one of the largest fortresses in Spain. The rock itself resembles a face in its outline, which is why it is also called the “face of the Moor.”

The castle consists of three levels located at different heights, each representing the history of different eras. This magnificent building is actually located in the central part of the city, near the seashore.

The fortress, built about 10 centuries ago, evokes great admiration among numerous tourists and townspeople. Thanks to the multi-level design, amazing views of the city’s landscapes open from almost all points. And the castle is perfectly visible from afar and is an excellent landmark.

The Santa Barbara fortress in Alicante is amazing and interesting both for its architecture and centuries-old history.

Its address: 03002, Spain, Alicante city, Plaza del Cuarter, 1.

Architectural elements

The main attractions of the fortress are the following: the Armory Courtyard, the Military Building, the Hall of Philip II (King), the Queen's Bastion and the Guard Corps. The interiors correspond to the appearance of the castle; they are also decorated in a medieval spirit.

You can ascend to the fortress by elevators with entrances located opposite the resort beach of Postiguet. You can take the elevator for a small fee, but those who want particularly thrilling sensations can walk up the mountain along a rather long staircase with bridges.

Ancient history of the castle

A long time ago, in the third century BC. e. The Greeks built defensive impregnable fortifications. A very good location for the bastions was strategically chosen. Thanks to this position of the fortress, it was convenient to monitor the entrances to the city and maintain power over a large territory.

In honor of St. Barbara, whose feast day is celebrated annually in these places at the beginning of December, the Santa Barbara fortress got its name. Its history is full of numerous events.

One of the most heroic historical moments is the year 1296. At that time, the commandant of the fortress named Nicholas Paris, who defended it from the enemy army of King Jaime II, fighting to the last, immortalized his name. With one hand, stained with the blood of his enemies, he held a sword, and with the other hand he firmly held the key to the fortress. According to legend, the enemies were able to obtain it only by cutting off the hand of the hero commandant only after his death. And now at the highest point of the castle there is an inscription carved dedicated to the feat of Nicholas Paris.

About the destruction and reconstruction of the castle

Over the long period of its existence, the Santa Barbara fortress changed owners several times and, accordingly, was reconstructed. In January 1844, during the uprising under the leadership of Colonel Pantaleon Bonet, the castle was occupied by them, but due to the betrayal of one of his subordinates, Bonet himself fell into a trap. And as a result, the castle was captured by Espartero's people. All the rebels were executed right within the fortress walls. At the site of their execution today there is a Memorial dedicated to the Martyrs of Freedom, which is dedicated to the fallen comrades of Pantaleon Bonet.

The castle suffered serious damage during the war of 1873. He was severely damaged due to shelling from the Spanish battleship Numancia, controlled by rebels from Cartagena.

20th century castle

At the end of the 1930s, the Santa Barbara fortress was used as a prison for Republican prisoners during the Spanish Civil War. Witnesses of those times are the inscriptions and engravings they left on the walls. After the end of the war, the fortress was abandoned for some time, and only thanks to the city authorities it turned into a unique monument of historical heritage.

Since 1963, restoration of this building began. 2 elevators were built, lifting visitors to the fortress in just one minute to the very top of the mountain (path length 204.83 meters).

Fortress today

Thus, the Santa Barbara fortress today is perfectly equipped for convenient inspection by numerous visitors.

In addition, great concerts and festivals take place here on summer nights, and picnics are organized in winter. On the territory of the lowest level there are tables and benches.

Inside the castle you can visit educational exhibitions.

From the fortress, having found any way out, you can go down the so-called Great Wall of China (Spanish) and get into the preserved ancient quarter called Barrio Santa Cruz. These are narrow streets with white houses, where the voices of children can be heard kicking a soccer ball.

The observation decks of the fortress offer a delightful panorama, combining a superb city, views of the beautiful sea, road forks, the beach, the port and neighboring cities.

What else can you see in the castle?

The Fortress of Santa Barbara in Alicante is a rather complex and impressive structure. It consists, as noted above, of three levels that arose in different eras and are monuments of bygone times.

The towers and walls represent traditional knightly architecture. Some parts of the structure (upper) have been preserved since Arab times.

Today, the territory of the fortress is well equipped for the convenience of tourists visiting the museum. There are exhibition halls with permanent and temporary exhibitions, the contents of which are dedicated to the glorious history of the castle and its changing appearance over the centuries.

It is worth noting the observation platforms of the fortress, of which there are several. They offer stunning views, especially during sunset and at night, when the city is transformed by night lights.

On the territory of the fortress there are equipped recreation areas with souvenir tents and a cafe.

How to get to the castle

Anyone has the opportunity to visit the Santa Barbara fortress in Alicante. Entrance there is free.

The easiest way is the high-speed elevator, the entrance to which is located in the center of Mount Benacantil, near Postiguet Beach. Moreover, the climb is quite fast, and the cost for services (for the climb only) is 3 euros. Young children and elderly people can use the elevator free of charge.

You can also get to the castle by taxi or by your own car along the highway. For transport, there is free parking on the lower level of the castle.

For lovers of romantic travel, there is a more interesting way to climb, on foot, which will bring additional pleasure. Thanks to this hike, you can see two more amazing sights: the Santa Cruz quarter and Parque de la Ereta. In the first, as noted above, you can see ancient Moorish buildings from the 13th century, and in the exotic green park you can relax on benches near the fountain and stroll along the paths.

The most courageous and fearless climb right up the rock, but this is quite dangerous and prohibited.

The Santa Barbara fortress is called the hallmark of Alicante. It has observation platforms from where tourists can admire magnificent views of the city, port and sea. You can visit the castle completely free of charge. Entrance tickets are sold here only for special exhibitions.

The local Mount Benacantil, which towers above the city, is also called the “face of the Moor”. Its slopes have bizarre shapes. The fortress, which seems to emerge from the rocks, is one of the largest Spanish structures of its kind.

Description of the fortress

Santa Barbara has three levels that occupy different places on the slopes. Their construction was carried out in several stages. The oldest part was built at an elevation of 166 meters above sea level. Here, only the foundations of the Hall of Fame, the English Bastion and the Engineering Park, which were built in the Middle Ages, managed to survive. The upper esplanade is home to fragments of an ancient fortress and the main watchtower of the Moorish period, La Torreta.

The middle level accommodated structures on its territory that were built from 1562 to 1580. We are talking about the Barbara Chapel, which has survived only in fragments, the Hall of Philip II, the Queen's Bastion and the Military Building.

The lower level is equipped with parking and approaches to this historical site. Near Santa Barbara, in the Old Town, you can visit Erete Park. This is a traditional venue for public events.

Current state of the fortress

Santa Barbara welcomes visitors year-round. Here is the wonderful observation deck of the Esplanade Macho del Castillo. Guests of Alicante walk through the halls of the historical museum, which houses restored outbuildings. Here you can see heraldry belonging to the ancient families of the city and antique ceramics, as well as visit a photo gallery. An exhibition of siege and battering weapons is equipped at a special site.

In summer, the fortress is the venue for “full moon nights,” theatrical performances and other events. The Square of Arms is used to show children's performances and concert programs. On the territory of the Engineering Park you can visit a craft fair. The 5 halls of Santa Barbara were perfect for hosting the large exhibition “The Fortress of the Ring”, organized by the Tolkien Society of Spain.

Historical reference

Benacantil has been inhabited by people since ancient times, as evidenced by archaeological finds. The fortress was founded by the Moors in the 11th century. It was of strategic importance for the city. From Benacantil you could see everything that was happening in the area, on the roads and in the bay. The fortress was recaptured by Christians in the 13th century. In the next century it was significantly expanded. Carlos I was the initiator of the construction of fortifications, and Philip II - the outbuildings and main halls.

Santa Barbara was repeatedly shelled and destroyed. By the 18th century, it ceased to fulfill its main function - defense against enemies. A prison was created here, after which the fortress was abandoned. In 1963 it was reconstructed and turned into a tourist site.

Legends

People have created more than one legend about Santa Barbara, as well as about other Spanish monuments of the Middle Ages. It is necessary to mention the romantic history associated with the era when the Moors ruled in these places.

The Spanish nobleman Riccardo fell in love with Princess Zahara, whose father was a Muslim ruler. The girl reciprocated his feelings. Meetings between lovers took place outside the walls of the fortress. The young people dreamed of starting a family, but Zakhara’s parent had already decided on a future husband for their daughter. He was to become the Sultan of Damascus. After the princess learned this news, she was overcome by a serious illness. The old Moor wanted, at all costs, to save his daughter from death, but he could not give permission for her marriage to a Christian. Then the ruler decided to cheat. He gave the go-ahead for his daughter’s marriage to a Spanish nobleman, but on the condition that the color of the earth would turn white in the morning. Otherwise, Zahara’s lover will be hanged from the tower. The princess spent the whole night in prayer. At the same time, the orange trees began to shed their petals. In the morning, local residents thought that the territory of the fortress was covered with snow. She turned completely white. But the ruler did not keep his word and hanged Ricardo before sunrise. Having learned about this, the girl threw herself from the tower and crashed on the rocks. The ruler followed her out of grief. From that time on, the deep stone folds of Benacantil imprinted the face of the princess's father.

The hero of the second legend is the commandant of Alicante, Nicholas Paris. In 1248, the Arabs left these places and Alfonso of Castile began to rule the city. In 1296, Jaime II of Aragon and his army attacked the fortress. Local warriors held out until the last. When the Moors killed Paris, they saw in his hand the keys that opened the main gate. They couldn’t even take them from the dead commandant, he held them so tightly. They had to cut off the hero's hand to open the gate. Later, a monument to the commandant appeared in Alicante, and the castle's coat of arms contains an image of a hand with a bunch of keys. Since then, no one else has captured Santa Barbara.

Tourist information

The castle is accessible to visitors every day. From 1.04. until 30.09. it is open from ten o'clock in the morning to ten in the evening, and from 1.10. until 31.03. - until eight o'clock in the evening.