Alicante
Alicante’s mild climate makes
beach-life feasible practically all year round. You certainly have a lot of
beaches to choose from. An open beach? La Playa de San Juan, with seven
kilometers of golden sand flanked by a road - stop and sunbathe.
Fiestas: Most prominent - Les Fogueres de Sant Joan held at the end
of June.
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History
The first settlements in the
area were centered around the slopes of mount Benacantil, occupied today
by the castle of Santa Bárbara, which combined the privileges of being
close to the sea yet offering the protection of being high above the
surrounding land.
Another settlement was located
in the Benalúa area, where the Roman city of Lucentum was built,
the predecessor of the city of Alicante today. Other villages from the
same period have been located at the Albufereta and in the Serra Grossa.
With the arrival of the Moors, the present-day city was built under the
protection of the castle. Alfonso, later to become the 10th, known as the
Wise, conquered the city in 1246 for the Castilian crown, and in 1308
Jaime II incorporated Alicante in the Kingdom of Valencia... Top |
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Elx-Elche
Elx is heir to the archaeological site of
L‘Alcudia, 3km further south. This prehistoric lberian
settlement then gave way to the Roman municipium of Illici. The walled
part of the town, is where traces of Arabic culture can still be
found. The present town hall is a gate of the old walled town.
Elx’s old Roman
archaeological site is about 2 kilometres
south of the town, access via the Dolores road.
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Contemporary Art
The Elx Contemporary Art Museum is in the Raval,
the old Moorish and Jewish quarter.
Mystery
Plays
The town prides
itself on its tradition of Mystery Plays (Misteri d’EIx) which
take place in mid August. The picture depicts a 1950's poster
Iberian Art
The original
statue of the Lady Of Elche (pictured below) can only be seen in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid.
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On August 4th 1897 the legendary bust of the Lady Of Elche was
found at Elx’s old Roman site. Some say she is a priestess, others a
noblewoman. Her hair is covered by spectacular whorls on either side of
her head, and she is the purest example of Iberian art produced near the
Mediterranean basin...Top
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Santa Pola
The Cape of Santa Pola, with its white beaches, wooded areas, salt flats
and dunes, is the northern limit of the beautiful bay that finds La Marina
clearly in its centre.
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Between Elx in the north west, Santa Pola in the north
and La Marina, there are secluded areas
of clean, white beach which are intermingled with more populated areas.
You have a who range of choice of recreation in this area.
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Hit the High Spots. The Cape of Santa Pola, 140m high, provides a
commanding view of Sea, Sand and Dunes. The island of Tabarca can be
clearly seen from here.
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Between Elx, Santa Pola and La Marina, there are
Palm and Pine Woods. Europe's greatest Palm Groves cover some1063
acres,
north west of La Marina. Some 200,000 palm trees are protected
in Elx Municipal Park of 150,000 square metres and in other, smaller
scenic areas, like; Huerto del Cura and Hort del Gat
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Flamingos are a common sight on the salt flats and marshy areas that are
dispersed throughout the area.
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Santa Pola is classic, Spanish hustle and bustle by the
sea. It has a wide promenade, with many typical cafes and bars. It also
has its own sheltered beaches and a Marina
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Santa Pola Castle, providing protection against Barbary pirates.
It was build under the orders of King Felipe II in the 16th C. The
building contains a Maritime museum and a municipal aquarium. Some of
the most picturesque streets of the town extend from the castle.
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Tabarca Island is 2km long, by only 400m at its widest
point. There is a walled village, with an Hotel and a Church. The Island
has a lighthouse and an old cemetery. There are no cars and the island is
a protected area. It is an ideal site to visit for nature lovers. It can
be reached by excursion boats from Santa pola.
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