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Alicante
Alicante is the Valencia region's second-largest
town. Brimming with fresh projects, it has transformed
itself in less than a decade from a seedy port
to an attractive place with a spirited nightlife.
And unlike its coastal neighbours, it's a real
town, living for much more than tourism alone.
In between the constant nights out, feasts of
excellent paella, siestas and bouts of basking
on the beach, there are loads of other things
to keep you busy. The shopping is excellent, there
are plenty of museums and historical places of
interest, delicious weather and lots of water-based
sports.
Festivals & Heritage
Santa Faz Pilgrimage
7 Apr 2005 (annual)
Alicante
Every year around 200,000 people walk to the Monasterio
de Santa Faz on the second-largest pilgrimage
in Spain.
Alcoi Moors and Christians Festival
22 - 24 Apr 2005 (annual)
Alcoi
Head for Alcoi to see a spectacular re-enactment
of the battle between the Moors and the Christians,
as part of the celebrations to honour Saint George,
patron of the region.
Moors and Christians Festival
9 - 12 Jun 2005 (various dates)
Alicante
The Moors and Christians Festival is one of the
major celebrations in Alicante's calendar, a mixture
of religion, history and street carnival.
Saint John's Bonfires
Jun 2005 (annual)
Alicante
The Fogueres de Sant Joan is Alicante's main fiesta,
paying homage to Saint John and celebrating the
summer solstice with bonfires and fireworks.
Denia Harbourfront Bull Run
Jul 2005 (annual)
Dénia
The Valencian town of Dénia works itself
up into a frenzy for the much-anticipated Toros/Bous
a la Mar. This bull running extravaganza is staged
annually to commemorate the Day of the Sacred
Blood...
Attractions
Castillo de Santa Barbara
Long a symbol of Alicante, the Castillo de Santa
Barbara, the stuff of fairy tales with its high
walls and domed turrets, sits on the summit of
Mount Benacantil, overlooking the city and the
Mediterranean Sea. You can reach it by car or,
better, on a passenger lift from Postiguet beach.
The various parts of the castle date from medieval
times to the sixteenth century and offer plenty
of castle-type fun: drawbridges, stone passages,
hidden tunnels, a real dungeon and - more surprising
- a beautiful garden filled with works by Spanish
master sculptors.
Isla de Tabarca
This tiny island, 17km (10 mi) off the coast of
Alicante, was once a base for pirates, who would
doubtless sit on the beach counting pieces of
eight and playing with their peg-legs in the sand.
Today, more appealingly, you'll find a medieval
fort, a pleasant little beach and some fine seafood
restaurants. It's a perfect day trip, with underwater
treats: you can take a glass bottom boat from
Alicante Port, snorkel around the marine reserves
off the island, and submerge in a small yellow
submarine that makes short trips from Tabarca's
harbour.
MARQ (Museo Arqueológico
Provincial)
The Museo Arqueológico Provincial, or MARQ,
was nominated as the European Museum of the Year
in 2004 for its strong collection of ceramics
and Iberian art. Exhibits are displayed to give
the visitor a very visual, high tech experience.
The only drawback is the lack of information in
English.
MUBAG (Museo de Bellas Artes
Gravina)
The Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina is an inspiring
fine arts museum housed within a beautiful 18th-century
mansion. Nearby, the Iglesia de Santa María
has a flamboyant facade and ornate, gilded altarpiece,
both contrasting with the nave's Gothic simplicity.
Museo de la Asegurada
Built in the 17th century, this formidable building
was once used as a prison and a munitions store.
Today it houses an impressive collection of 20th-century
art, with works by Gris, Miro, Picasso and Dali,
as well as lesser-known Spanish painters such
as Chillida, Mompo and Zobel.
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