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Route B

Santa Barbara Castle

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ROUTE:

6 km | 3.7 miles

Puerta del Mar

Santa Barbara Castle

Alicante Water Museum

Basilica of Santa Maria

Contemporary Art Museum of Alicante - MACA

Provincial Archaeological Museum of Alicante - MARQ

All Routes in Alicante

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Route A

Maritime facade of Alicante

Route B

Santa Barbara Castle

Route C

Old Town of Alicante

Route D

The Traditional Downtown of Alicante

Route E

Alicante Air Raid Shelters

Other trails

TRADITIONAL DOWNTOWN OF ALICANTE

LA ERETA PARK

EL CAMPO - TABARCA

WALLED CITADEL – TABARCA

TRAILS IN BENACANTIL

SIERRA DE SAN JULIAN - SERRA GROSSA

CABO DE LA HUERTA

LA HUERTA TOWERS

LA MARJAL FLOODABLE PARK

EL TOSSAL TRAIL

Monte Orgegia

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Highlights

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RUTA

Puerta del Mar

With Route B you can explore some of the most representative monuments and museums of the province. Did you know that Alicante is a south-facing city? Nearly all the settlements in the province of Alicante are oriented to the south, as they are shielded from the cold northern winds by the mountain range in the province’s interior. That is why Alicante has such a wonderful climate. This orientation, along with the presence of the Benacantil rock, was a key factor in the Muslims’ decision to settle in the city. We will gain a better view of this from the Santa Barbara Castle. To reach it, we will take the elevator up to the last stop.

RUTA

Santa Barbara Castle

It was the Muslims who decided in the 9th century to settle where the Castle now stands. Thus, the city of Alicante was born in the Castle and later developed at its feet, protected by the fortress. Today, we find three well-differentiated areas in the Castle.

First enclosure: Known as “El Macho” due to the type of walls that crown it, which receive this technical name. This is the highest part of the castle, located at an altitude of 166 meters, where the first Muslim fortress was built. From this height, you can see all the mountains we mentioned at our first stop. The castle’s height was strategically chosen for defense against enemy attacks. Because of its defensive nature, when Alfonso X ‘El Sabio’ conquered the city and the castle in the 13th century. He decided to maintain the settlement in this elevated area, where cisterns were built to collect rainwater. In this enclosure, you can visit the Museum of the City of Alicante (Museo de la Ciudad de Alicante, MUSA), which has several rooms that feature part of the city’s rich history. Second enclosure: It is the old Muslim Albacar, where the livestock took refuge, and during wartime, soldiers. Starting in the 18th century, after the medieval castle of El Macho was dismantled, new structures were built here, including Barracks, Guardhouse, Chapel, and other dependencies (ovens, dungeons, etc.). Third enclosure: The occupation of the Castle by the English at the beginning of the 18th century required a series of reforms to enhance its defense on the North front, having as a consequence the construction of several bastions and walls in this area. From this enclosure, you can access the spectacular Renaissance cistern. At this point we have two options: take the elevator back down to the beach and visit the MARQ (Archaeological Museum of Alicante) or walk down through the Ereta Park to reach the Alicante Water Museum, visiting the MARQ at the end of the route.

 

RUTA

Alicante Water Museum

Do you think it rains a lot in Alicante? The answer is no. This is why water and the way it reaches the city have played a crucial role in Alicante’s development. This museum showcases how water was channeled from nearby springs to the city. Next to the Water Museum are the Pozos de Garrigos (wells of Garrigos). Although the first records of them date back to the 18th century, the practice of storing scarce rainwater in wells dates to medieval times when the Muslims used cisterns to store water, just as it happened in the Santa Barbara Castle.

RUTA

Basilica of Santa Maria

This basilica was originally a Muslim mosque, the remains of which can be seen inside. In fact, the square where we are now was the center of the Muslim settlement. The city of Alicante developed at this point, protected and defended by the castle. The current building was constructed by the Christians after the conquest, in the late 14th century: it features some elegant pointed arches, although the facade and interior decorations were added later. Do not miss the coats of arms on the ribbed vault above the High Altar.

RUTA

Contemporary Art Museum of Alicante - MACA

In the same square where we are located, you will also find the Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Alicante, MACA), integrated into the oldest civil building preserved in the city and a new building. Its galleries feature works by artists such as Chillida, Picasso, Tapies, Dalí, Sempere, and Miró among others.

RUTA

Provincial Archaeological Museum of Alicante - MARQ

After exploring the main places that highlight the city’s origins, you can visit the Provincial Archaeological Museum (Museo Arqueologico Provincial, MARQ). Here you will find pieces discovered in various archaeological excavations in the city of Alicante and its province, all presented in an interactive way.

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Provincial Archaeological Museum of Alicante - MARQ

After exploring the main places that highlight the city’s origins, you can visit the Provincial Archaeological Museum (Museo Arqueologico Provincial, MARQ). Here you will find pieces discovered in various archaeological excavations in the city of Alicante and its province, all presented in an interactive way.

ROUTE

Contemporary Art Museum of Alicante - MACA

In the same square where we are located, you will also find the Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Alicante, MACA), integrated into the oldest civil building preserved in the city and a new building. Its galleries feature works by artists such as Chillida, Picasso, Tapies, Dalí, Sempere, and Miró among others.

ROUTE

Basilica of Santa Maria

This basilica was originally a Muslim mosque, the remains of which can be seen inside. In fact, the square where we are now was the center of the Muslim settlement. The city of Alicante developed at this point, protected and defended by the castle. The current building was constructed by the Christians after the conquest, in the late 14th century: it features some elegant pointed arches, although the facade and interior decorations were added later. Do not miss the coats of arms on the ribbed vault above the High Altar.

ROUTE

Alicante Water Museum

Do you think it rains a lot in Alicante? The answer is no. This is why water and the way it reaches the city have played a crucial role in Alicante’s development. This museum showcases how water was channeled from nearby springs to the city. Next to the Water Museum are the Pozos de Garrigos (wells of Garrigos). Although the first records of them date back to the 18th century, the practice of storing scarce rainwater in wells dates to medieval times when the Muslims used cisterns to store water, just as it happened in the Santa Barbara Castle.

ROUTE

Puerta del Mar

With Route B you can explore some of the most representative monuments and museums of the province. Did you know that Alicante is a south-facing city? Nearly all the settlements in the province of Alicante are oriented to the south, as they are shielded from the cold northern winds by the mountain range in the province’s interior. That is why Alicante has such a wonderful climate. This orientation, along with the presence of the Benacantil rock, was a key factor in the Muslims’ decision to settle in the city. We will gain a better view of this from the Santa Barbara Castle. To reach it, we will take the elevator up to the last stop.

ROUTE

Santa Barbara Castle

It was the Muslims who decided in the 9th century to settle where the Castle now stands. Thus, the city of Alicante was born in the Castle and later developed at its feet, protected by the fortress. Today, we find three well-differentiated areas in the Castle.

First enclosure: Known as “El Macho” due to the type of walls that crown it, which receive this technical name. This is the highest part of the castle, located at an altitude of 166 meters, where the first Muslim fortress was built. From this height, you can see all the mountains we mentioned at our first stop. The castle’s height was strategically chosen for defense against enemy attacks. Because of its defensive nature, when Alfonso X ‘El Sabio’ conquered the city and the castle in the 13th century. He decided to maintain the settlement in this elevated area, where cisterns were built to collect rainwater. In this enclosure, you can visit the Museum of the City of Alicante (Museo de la Ciudad de Alicante, MUSA), which has several rooms that feature part of the city’s rich history. Second enclosure: It is the old Muslim Albacar, where the livestock took refuge, and during wartime, soldiers. Starting in the 18th century, after the medieval castle of El Macho was dismantled, new structures were built here, including Barracks, Guardhouse, Chapel, and other dependencies (ovens, dungeons, etc.). Third enclosure: The occupation of the Castle by the English at the beginning of the 18th century required a series of reforms to enhance its defense on the North front, having as a consequence the construction of several bastions and walls in this area. From this enclosure, you can access the spectacular Renaissance cistern. At this point we have two options: take the elevator back down to the beach and visit the MARQ (Archaeological Museum of Alicante) or walk down through the Ereta Park to reach the Alicante Water Museum, visiting the MARQ at the end of the route.

 

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