Plaza de Toros
Plaza de Toros in Alicante is one of the most important places for bullfighting enthusiasts. This historic arena is one of the oldest active bullrings in the Valencia region.
Plaza de Toros was built in 1847 by architect Emilio Jover. In 1884, due to its deteriorating condition, it underwent a major renovation. This renovation gave the arena even greater significance, increasing its capacity to almost 16,000 seats, which was an impressive number for a city that had only 19,000 inhabitants at the time.
The architecture of Plaza de Toros is impressive. The arena is divided into sectors on the first floor, stands on the second floor, and boxes and galleries on the third floor. It can accommodate a total of 15,235 spectators. It is a place that comes alive during the annual bullfighting festivals, attracting both local residents and tourists from all over the world.
But Plaza de Toros is not just a place for bullfighting enthusiasts. It is also an important cultural center in Alicante. The arena regularly hosts various events, such as concerts, political meetings, and sports events. In the past, it even hosted the Davis Cup tennis semifinals in 2004.
In summary, Plaza de Toros in Alicante is a place that every tourist should visit. Its rich history, impressive architecture, and diverse events make it one of the most important and memorable places in Alicante. Whether you are a fan of bullfighting, music, or just want to experience the atmosphere of a real Spanish city, Plaza de Toros will not disappoint you.
The address of Plaza de Toros in Alicante is: Plaza de España, 7-8, 03004 Alicante, Valencia, Spain.
Bario de la Santa Cruz
Barrio de la Santa Cruz, often simply called Santa Cruz, is one of the most picturesque and traditional neighborhoods in Alicante. It is located at the foot of Santa Bárbara Castle, on the slope of Mount Benacantil, making it one of the most authentic and charming places in Alicante.
Santa Cruz is a true labyrinth of narrow, winding streets that lead through white houses decorated with colorful tiles and borders. Many of these houses have family names written on their walls. Throughout the year, facades and balconies are decorated with beautiful pots of plants and flowers, giving this place a unique charm. Santa Cruz is the heart of the old town of Alicante and offers several viewpoints from which you can admire amazing panoramas of the bay, port, and city of Alicante. The neighborhood is located at an altitude, so be prepared for a walk along steep streets and stairs.
One of the most important places to see in Santa Cruz is Santa Bárbara Castle, the Santa Cruz hermitage, and the Santa Cruz viewpoint. However, during Holy Week, Santa Cruz shows its most festive side and is especially decorated for the occasion. This is one of the most important events of the year, and the residents of the neighborhood are involved in its organization.
On every Holy Wednesday, a large part of the neighborhood gathers around the Santa Cruz hermitage to see the religious procession, which must descend and travel through the narrow and difficult streets of the neighborhood, overcoming large differences in height and obstacles. Therefore, even if you are not there during this holiday, it is worth visiting the Santa Cruz hermitage to imagine this social and religious event, during which many residents and tourists want to see how carriers, Nazarenes, and ladies in mantillas descend the narrow streets of the neighborhood.
