Alicante Capital City

There’s loads of evidence that the history of Alicante goes back for over three thousand years. Primary indications coming from archaeological remains there were studied in the Cova del Fum in Fontcalent.

It’s been shown that these remains date from the third millennium BC Following on from this it’s considered that the population first settled on the slopes of Mount Benacantil in a small town that was part of the Iberian early culture.

The first town was a IV century Ibero-Roman colony called Lucentum that was located in the Manises Tossal area.

With the fall of Empire and a brief episode of Visigoth rule, the city was dominated by Arab rule for several centuries.

For defensive reasons the village moved to the hillside of Benacantil and Vila Vella was created. Conquest brought renewal.

In 1247, the town was conquered by the future Alfonso X, known as The Wise, and the town became know as Vila Nova.

In 1249 Jaime II incorporated the town of Alicante and the Kingdom of Valencia and two centuries later, in 1490, Fernando, the other half of the Catholic Kings, promoted the town to a city.

Progress continued throughout history but, in the XIX century and with the arrival of the railway from Madrid, industrial development of the city increased in rhythm.

During this time most of the city walls were destroyed and a new lighting and urban regeneration programme was commenced. The XX century saw the inauguration of the popular festival of the Bonfires of San Juan. This celebration is now classified as being of International Tourist Interest.

During this festival Alicante is transformed into a living stage with dozens of beautifully built wood and cardboard monuments, depicting politicians and other figures open to satire, standing in every corner of the city. On the night of June 24, after the firing of a huge "palm" of fireworks, the effigies are ceremoniously burned. Of course, this is just part of the festival.

The rest comprises parades, firework displays and top notch street theatre that goes on till the wee hours of the day.

More information: http://www.alicanteturismo.com/