Castles and more castles
LOOKING back on history, by building eyrie like fortifications, Spain's medieval forebears endeavoured to protect themselves from incursions and raids of every kind. A leap forward from the original inhabitants who built rude hilltop settlements to defend themselves. Time elapsed. In the 16th century, many of the coastal castles were further fortified to fight off marauding Barbary pirates. The coast became dotted with Martello watchtowers. Tempus fugit!
Now when heading inland from Alicante it is impossible not to be impressed by the range of castles, which dot the routes. Novelda with its unique triangular towers and Magdalene sanctuary, the Elda fortress, Petrer castle, Sax and majestic La Atalaya followed by turrets and towers continuing north of the provincial border and beyond.
Just off the route, there is Castalla and the fortress at Biar. All these fortifications flanking the Vinalopo valley have interesting backgrounds. The castle at Petrer was active in 1265 during the Morisco revolts.
There was constant warfare here as members of the same family took turns dispossessing each other. Sax castle, a one-time Moorish fortress, stands on a promontory over the Vinalopo river and was besieged by 'Cristianos' in 1239 but the siege was repelled by 'Los Moros' who defiantly hurled boulders at the attackers before eventually succumbing.
Villena's La Atalaya castle under the control of the third Almohad Caliph was another fortification that fell to the Christians in the mid-thirteenth century. It was attacked by Aragon forces almost simultaneously as Castile claimed ownership of the area.
Biar castle was in the forefront of these disputes yet Guadalest became the most popularly visited fortification in the area today. Standing on a lofty rocky pinnacle it can still only be approached through the Puerta de San José. In medieval times, this narrow tunnel access made the place almost impregnable.
Originally settled in the 11th century, many changes became obvious but there is still impressive evidence dating back to earlier times. It lost its dominance when it was subjected to an
earthquake followed by a magazine explosion in the 17th century. It continued however to be an attraction. In more recent years townsfolk had to fend off entrepreneurial 'theme park' ideas.
Elsewhere, progress moved on. 13th century Denia castle, a one-time governor’s palace became a municipal archaeological museum. Even Alicante’s Santa Barbara castle which commands Benacantil hill overlooking the city harbour also became subject to renovation for several years.
Having boasted a turbulent and romantic past. The Santa Barbara pinnacle pile dates back to 9th century Moorish rule and even further. Remains from the Bronze Age have been discovered, as have Roman artefacts. In the realms of romance, an Arabian ‘K’nights style legend prevails. It seems that two princes sought the hand of a princess whose father could not make up his mind which to favour. He set the suitors a series of tasks, tests and trials. The wrong ‘royal’ won the tournament it would appear. The beautiful princess was utterly distraught and threw herself from the ramparts into the sea. When her chosen one (not her regal daddy's preferred) was informed, he forfeited his life. The tragic couple’s names were Ali and Cantara and accordingly this bit of theatre is said to have inspired the city name.
Castles in Spain, legends of Moors and Christians, family feuds, numerous Arabian Nights tragedies, and the romantic past... all can be re-discovered here.
The Costa Blanca really does have more than sea, sand and sun!