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On Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca

Alicante is a triangle of light in Southeastern Spain. White light in its 212 Kilometers of coast, from the Punta de Almadraba in the north, down to El Mojón in the south, and of a thousand color tones towards Villena in the interior. It is the most Southern province of the three that constitute the Community of Valencia, with a landscape of palm and fruit trees, vineyards, pinewoods and vegetables, in a Mediterranean climate.

With the first Iberian settlers who made a living from shepherding, fishing and agriculture, the settlement of El Tossal de Manises (Albufereta de Alicante) and the Serreta de Alcoy were founded in the mountains of Alicante.

A mix of other peoples- Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Gallics, Germanics and Moslems formed the history of Alicante up to the Reconquest, begun in the XIII Century through agreements of the kingdoms, at that time, of Castilla and Aragón.

It was to this monarch, in a trip to Denia, to whom the city dedicated one of the most typical and extensive festivals of the whole province: that of the Moors and Christians, still celebrated with great delight, in spring and summer.

With the status of the capital city of Alicante in the second half of the XIX Century, the town became one of the commercial growth centers, by maintaining itself as one of the most active maritime ports in the Mediterranean, in transactions with Europe and America.

The inland settlements of Alcoy (Alcoi), Elche (Elx) and Elda have also contributed to this growth, while in this century it was to be the tourism on the coast which supplied Alicante with most of its wealth, making it one of the richest provinces in Spain.

The white fortress, as Alicante has been called by the Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans, is a city that includes, with ample gardens and avenues, its old part of town, known as El Barrio, between the castle of Santa Bárbara, in the Benacantil hill, the Rambla de Méndez Núñez and the Explanada, with its marine promenade.

From neo-classicism to rationalism, the urban development of Alicante flourished in the first quarter of the XX century. The modern layout had given way to functional blocks, which has not obliterated the narrow and steep small streets of the Santa Cruz quarter.

It is here where the monumental district of Alicante is located. From the Postiguet Beach can be reached the Castle of Santa Bárbara, the oldest monument in town, and from its location, the best view of Alicante. Built on top of mosques, the current Church of Santa María, of Baroque style and the Concathedral of San Nicolás, of Herrerian style from the XVII century, along with the City Hall, also Baroque, are considered both historical and artistic.

On the way down to the Roman port, also known as the old port, the "Casa de la Asegurada", on Villavieja street, holds a museum of paintings, sculptures and engravings of the XX Century, donated by the sculptor and painter, Eusebio Sempere.

But the real beauty of Alicante comes from the sea. From the South, the direction of the island of Tabarca, with a settlement from the XVIII century, there is an abundance of archeological sites, a unique underwater world, and good communications from the port to the capital.

From the North, with Albufereta and San Juan beaches, after going around the Huertas cape. During the summer these beaches are the party centers with drinks, discotheques, etc. During the winter in a more student-like atmosphere, this is reserved for the Postiguet Beach and the old part of town.

It is also close to the sea, in the Explanada promenade, where the traveller who loves music can listen to concerts every Sunday morning during the winter, and on summer evenings.

Rice, as a base, seasoned with fish, fowl, vegetables and sausages, by a great variety of methods in its preparation, and gazpacho (Andalusian cold soup), with characteristic usages and specific customs, either from the Plain, the Coast or the Mountains, are the most traditional culinary preparations in Alicante.

Other prime materials such as shellfish, hunting game, fruits, vineyards and confectionery – nougat and ice cream-bring more to the richness of the Alicantine Mediterranean diet.

In the main tourist centres on the coast a quality international food can be enjoyed. However, the regional cuisine, increasing in popularity, deserves a good consideration. Examples are, the gazpacho made with jewfish and shrimp in Campello, the rice with eel and shellfish from Santa Pola, the crudet, -a stew of hard fish- along with paellas of Valentian influence, in Denia and its surrounding villages, or the salting fish from Altea. The list is endless.

Music, and a great noise when the gunpowder explodes, as well as fantastic dress and customs are the main ingredients in the Alicante festivities, where alcoholic drinks flow freely.

The Moors and Christians festivities are the most important for their celebration in almost all the Alicantine province, especially the ones that take place in Alcoy, which along with El Misteri, celebrated in Elche, are declared of International Touristic Interest.

The first are celebrated from the 24th to the 26th of April of 1992, and during the three following years, from the 22 to the 24th of the same month. From the prayers at dawn, on the first of the holiday, until Saint's George appearance, they parade, or "give entrance", either to Christians or Moors, in a continous street march in Alcoy, with battles and arguments from someone or other, and invitations to herberos, a -herbed Spanish aquavitae- and also to coffee and liquors.

From the 11 to the 15th of August, the "Misteri" is celebrated in Elche, a medieval representation from the XIII Century, that takes place during the first three days, with closed doors, in the Basilica of Santa Marķa, and with open doors the last two days. The fireworks in the "Nit de L'Alba" or "Alborada", a little dangerous for the absent-minded or careless, who could end up with the main 'palm" dedicated to the Virgin, are the biggest attractions.

The Bonfires of San Juan in Alicante, also declared of International Touristic Interest, Holy Week in Orihuela and Crevillente, the "bous a la mar", in Denia, among many other celebrations, as well as the International Singing Competition of Habaneras and Polyphony in Torrevieja, are some examples of the ample variety of festivities of this area.