Alicante

2014 March

We took another day off from Valencia and drove to Alicante.  The freeway and the national road run almost parallel and both are in perfect condition.

Another perfect example of southern Spain.  Km's long stretches of 'vacation homes' , i.e flats piled up on top of each other and tons of for sale signs.

                                     

The castle of Santa Barbara   -  El Castillo de Santa Bárbara

Situated on top of a hill overlooking the Mediterranean the castle played an important role for the defense of the city through the Middle Ages.  it was originally built by the Moors in the 10th century, but it received its current name when King Alfonso conquered it on Santa Barbara's Day [December 4] in 1248.

Views of Alicante  from the top of the castle.

      

Santa Barbara is a good example of what castles had during the Middle Ages. It has a moat, a dungeon, a chapel, cannons, turrets and  a famous lookout at the top.

 

The Spanish flag was at half mast to honor Adolfo Suárez, Spain’s first elected prime minister, following the Franco regime, who had died that day.

      

  

Another example of Stephan enjoying his surroundings:  Checking the electronics even on top of a castle [left, above],  some defense mechanisms [right, above] and one of the pedestrian streets full of restaurants in Alicante [below].