Alicante, Spain

Today we visited Alicante, another historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city was 337,482 as of 2020.  It is similar to the other cities we have visited in Spain.  There is a lot of historic buildings and the many of the streets are just for pedestrians and are lined with restaurants and shops.  It was another perfect weather day.  In the mid 70's and sunny.  This is our last full day on the ship.  Tomorrow morning we will be in Barcelona and will be debarking the ship. 


We took a tour today, but it wasn't focused on the city.  Instead, we drove about 35 miles north and the tour highlighted medieval castles.  The first castle was called La Mola's Castle.  It was sitting next to a more modern church called Santa Maria Magdalena.  The second castle was called Castle de la Atalaya and it was in Villena, Spain.  As we drove to Villena, we passed several other castles on the top of hills.  Our guide told us that there were at least 10 such castles in the area.  These castles were first constructed by the Muslims in the late 12th century.  Then in the 14th and 15th century the Christian conquest occurred and the Muslims were driven out of the castles.

Santa Maria Magdalena church

Inside the Church

The church had a pipe organ that used hollowed out marble for the pipes.  It was an amazing sound.

Ruins within La Mola's Castle

One of the towers still standing at La Mola's Castle

Countryside overlooking the castle.  It is extremely dry.  There are a few vineyards and olive tree orchards, but they all get watered to survive.

Castle de la Atalaya

Castle de la Atalaya (with a handsome tourist)


Look closely and you can see where the cannonballs hit the wall.

Inside the castle walls

Graffiti from when castle was used to house prisoners.






Overlooking Villena, Spain from on top of the castle.



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