History Santa Bárbara Castle

mount benacantil , castle of santa bárbara, 2005

bronze age, iberian, , roman artifacts have been found on slopes of mountain, origins of castle date 9th century @ time of muslim control of iberian peninsula, 711 till 1296. arab medieval geographer al-idrisi calls mountain banu-lqatil, , toponym may derive words pinna (arabic peak ) , laqanti, adjectival form of laqant, arabic name alicante.

view of interior.

on 4 december 1248, castle captured castilian forces led alfonso of castile. named after saint barbara, on feast day castle recaptured arabs. conquered aragonese in 1296 during reign of james ii of aragon, ordered reconstruction. peter iv of aragon, charles of spain , philip ii of spain oversee further reconstructions.

castle of santa bárbara in 19th century. photo jean lauren (1816-1886).

the castle bombarded in 1691 french squadron. during war of spanish succession, held english 3 years. in 1873, bombarded, along city, cantonalistas frigate numancia.

from 18th century military role of castle has declined , used prison. castle remained abandoned until 1963, when opened public. lifts have been installed inside mountain (€2.70 charge in 2017 free adults aged 65 on production of id). there guided tours @ €3 per person , there refreshments , other amenities @ , near summit. reasonably fit visitors may appreciate exercise of walk top.