Alicante to reopen historic Santa Barbara Castle route after €2.4 million restoration

Alicante’s Santa Barbara Castle route is set to reopen after a significant €2.4 million restoration project. This historic route, closed to the public for around 25 years, will once again allow residents and visitors to access and explore the city’s well-known landmark. The restoration work is expected to take about a year to complete.

Work on the project includes cleaning and repairing the castle’s western wall, which spans 470 meters, as well as restoring masonry and providing structural reinforcement to protect the historical remains. The restoration will cover sections from two distinct periods: the upper section dating back to the 11th-century Islamic era and the lower section from the 13th-century Christian era.

The project, financed by the Hortensia Herrero Foundation, is a first initiative of its kind outside Valencia. In addition to the restoration, the route will feature new ornamental lighting, information panels, and multimedia content explaining the history of the walls and their connection with the castle. This will provide a more enriching experience for those exploring the site.

Once the restoration is finished, the castle will be accessible via the western wall from central Alicante, allowing another pathway for residents and tourists to discover and appreciate this historic site. Santa Barbara Castle, perched on Mount Benacantil at 166 meters above sea level, draws approximately one million visitors each year.

The restoration of the western wall will add an additional dimension to visitors’ experiences, seamlessly blending enhanced access with the conservation and interpretation of centuries of Alicante’s rich history.