In Search of a Medieval Castle on your Costa Blanca Holidays

In search of a mighty medieval fortress castle for you to explore while on your COSTA BLANCA HOLIDAYS? Spain is home to an array of these castles but the Costa Blanca is one of the best places to start your search if you would like to tour some of best castles anywhere around. When the name Costa Blanca is mentioned most people immediately think of sun, sea and sand but on further inspection you will find it is a lot more than just a beach holiday place. With all the mountains running the length of the Iberian Peninsula, what would you expect to find in these high places other than castles? And it is castles that you will find. As they say, they are in all shapes, sizes and different states of repair. Venture up to any one of these battlements and you will have some breathtaking view over the Mediterranean coastline.

Your first stop could be at the Santa Pola Castle from the 16th century which is today home to the Archaeological Museum and the Fishing Museum. Not only is it a fortress: it is a castle as well from the Renaissance period. The express purpose of its building was originally to protect the surrounding area from attacks by the infamous Barbary Pirates. While you are admiring this fortress make sure to visit the museums as the first one has artefacts from the first dwellers that lived in the Cueva de las Aranas: the cave of spiders. There are also items on display from the Roman occupation. The last museum depicts how catching fish has evolved over the centuries.

A must see fortress has to be the largest and best preserved castle in Europe: the Castell Santa Barbara that overshadows the city of Alicante and its harbour. Sitting on top of Benacantil Mountain this castle can be seen for miles away. The castle was built by the Moors in the tenth century but named by King Alfonso the Wise when he defeated the Moors on the feast day of Saint Barbara on December 4th 1248. This is one of those castles that has everything to make it a castle, including dungeons, towers, ramparts, places to pour hot oil over invaders along with a draw bridge. It’s all here including magnificent views over the city and harbour. There are cafes there but be careful as one is just below where at one time the hot oil was poured.

Lastly, drive over to the city of Cartagena where setting on top of a hill overlooking the port as well as the town is the Concepcion Castle. There are two ways to reach the castle; the first is a lift that takes you through the cliff which if you can look has some excellent views over the area. The second way requires a climbing expedition to the top, at least that’s what it looks like to me. Once you reach the inside of the castle there are displays giving you the opportunity to trace the castle and towns history. One interesting point: the reconstruction that took place in the 13th century was performed when they used stones removed from the Roman amphitheatre, which is believable as some of the stones have Roman carvings on them.

Besides these examples for you to explore while on your COSTA BLANCA HOLIDAYS there is a plethora of these fairytale castles just waiting for you to come and explore them. For something that will surely make your day or even your year why not stay in one of these castles overnight; you never know you might just see a knight of old when he mounts his trusty steed to ride out and save the fair maiden.

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