We took a beautiful Sunday hiking trip to a mountain located right in the city of Alicante called “Serra Grossa”. The mountain is located on the Mediterranean coastline and provides a great view of the entire area. We took the bus to the mall which is near the base of the mountain. We started our hike and walked up the winding path.
Ray along the trail on the Serra Grossa mountain
We gradually worked our way up the path and came across a great view of the Mediterranean sea.
Trail along the Serra Grossa Mountain
As we worked our way up the mountain we came across some spectacular views of the area.
The higher we went up the trail, the more we could see of the coastline. We continued along the trail and came to a lookout area that had benches and some shade.
We decided to stop and take a break. We sat down on the bench and enjoyed the stunning views.
The view from the bench on the Serra Grossa Mountain
After having a nice relaxing break on the bench we headed further up the path. As we came around a bend we could see some trenches and tunnels in the mountain. These were remnants of the bomb shelters from 1936 that were in place to protect the locals.
Shelley in one of the trenches on Serra Grossa mountainPart of the bomb shelter system on the Serra Grossa mountainShelley at a lookout in the bomb shelter of Serra Grossa mountain
It was interesting walking through the shelter and looking at the structure. We then continued up the mountain heading towards the peak. We came across a cement square structure that was perched on the edge of the mountain. There were stairs leading down to it but there were no rails or any type of protection. We decided that we wouldn’t head down as it was dangerous looking.
Structure perched on the edge of the mountain
We continued to work our way towards the top stopping along the way to rest and admire the breathtaking views. The trail was getting steep and rough in places towards the top but we managed to reach the summit.
Shelley sitting on stone wall at the top of the Serra Grossa mountain
From the top, you could see a 360-degree view of Alicante. The 490-meter elevation provided us with a view of the coast, and the mountains. It was truly a beautiful and breathtaking view.
On Sunday we decided to take a nice bike ride with our friend Filipe through parts of Alicante. There are so many beautiful sights and scenes in the city that each day is a great chance to explore. We started in the center of the city and worked our way down towards the waterfront. We cycled along the waterfront enjoying the view
Ray and Shelley along the waterfront in Alicante
We came across a group of people singing and chanting in Russian along the waterfront. Some were dressed in traditional Russian dress.
Russian march along the waterfront
We decided to take a break and watch them for a while before heading on.
Ray, Shelley, and Filipe taking a break on waterfront boardwalk
We continued along the coastline for a few kilometers admiring the vistas.
Shelley and Ray on the coast of Mediterranean Sea.
We came across a lookout area and took some time to admire the views.
Ray, Filipe and Shelley on the lookout admiring the view
After biking along the coast we headed into the old quarter of Alicante. We cycled through the old streets of Alicante and came to a beautiful old neighborhood called Barrio de Santa Cruz.
They decorate the streets with flowers and colorful ornaments to welcome the Fiesta of the Crosses of May. They hold a fiesta and decorate flower crosses which are judged for the best design. The fiesta ends on the 1st of May and we missed the fiesta but we were able to see the winning cross still on display.
Ray and Shelley in front of the Winning Flower cross of the Fiesta in Barrio de Santa Cruz
We then headed back into the center of the city and came across an art exhibit. It was set up with local artist displaying their work and some artist were painting as well. We stopped and decided to check it out.
Shelley looking at some of the artwork on display
There were some very talented artists and we watch several of them work on their art. We could recognize some of the Spanish landmarks they had painted in some of the paintings.
As we walked throughout the displays we came across a beautiful water feature.
Water feature in the park with artist
After viewing the art we stopped at a new Italian restaurant called “ll Typico”. We were introduced to the owner Felice Falanga by our friend Filipe and enjoyed a wonderful meal.
Filipe, the owner Felice Falanga, Shelley and Ray
Overall another great adventure in Alicante. Each day brings new adventures and experiences.
We went to check out the Cartagena Punic Wall Interpretation known as “El Centro de interpretacion de la murall Punica”. The Punic wall interpretation center was built to the same dimensions as of the wall height and width of the original wall. The center highlights the recovery of remains from the ancient Carthaginian wall which was used as a defensive wall system in Cartagena.
The design of the wall is known as the Hellenistic model. It has two parallel walls constructed with large sandstone blocks. The walls were 10 meters high (33 feet) and inside the walls, there was space divided into different sections. Each section was used for a specific purpose, horse stable, weapons storage and living quarters etc.
View from above of the ancient wall
We walked through the center looking at the remains of the wall. It was hard to imagine that the walls were built around 200 BC.
Punic wall build approximately 200 BC
We then came to the stairs which led to an area that was discovered to contain a funeral crypt. The crypt belonged to the hermitage of Saint Joseph and was built during the XVI and XVII centuries.
Stairs to Roman catacombs
We went down the stairs and saw the crypt which contained actual remains from that time period. At the base of the stairs, the crypt was opened on one side and it was sealed on the other side.
Funeral crypt built during the XVI and XVII centuries
Inside the open crypts, there were remains from that time period.
Crypts dated from 16th and 17th centuries
The one side of the crypt was intact and was not opened. The original wall along with a painted image which was slightly visible.
Painted image visible on the crypt wallThe original sealed crypt section
The wall and crypt were very interesting and something we enjoyed seeing. There is an amazing history of Cartagena and it was an enjoyable visit.
We went to the city of Cartagena which is located in the region of Murcia approximately 120 kilometers from Alicante. The city with a population of 218,000 is located on the coast of the Mediterranean sea. Cartagena is a very old city which has a history as far back at 228 BC. The city’s defensive location surrounded by five mountains made it an excellent port with fortifications. Throughout the centuries the city has been conquered by different groups.
Our first stop in Cartagena was the Castillo de la Concepcion, a medieval castle. The walkway up to the castle was beautiful with great views of the city and the sea.
Part of the walkway to the Castillo de la Concepcion
Along the walk to the castle, we came across some peacocks. They were quite tame and did not move far off the trail as we went by.
Peacock leading the way up the trail to the castle
We admired the features along the way to the castle including the tiled walls which depicted historical events.
Tiles with image of historic aspect of Cartagena on trail to the Castillo de la Concepcion
We came across some beautiful trees, one of them had their roots exposed.
Flowering tree along the trail to the castle
When we were almost to the castle there was a large flat area which contained a large chimney. This was used in ancient times similar to a lighthouse. They would put a large fire at the base and pull out selected stones to allow light to shine through.
Felipe and Ray in front of the ancient chimney at Castillo de la Concepcion
As we got higher up on the trail there were some beautiful views of the city.
View along the way to the Castle
When we reached the castle, we stopped to enjoy the view. We could see the old Roman Theater and other features within the city of Cartagena.
View near the Castillo de la Concepcion in Cartagena.View of Cartagena from the Castillo de la Concepcion
We then went and explored the Castillo de la Concepcion. There were several rooms which were designed as cisterns. There was limited access to water at the castle so they captured rainwater. We were able to walk through the cisterns and look at its design.
Inside the cisterns on Castillo de la ConcepcionA lookout inside the castle
There were several rooms with displays of different artifacts. We saw a “Strongbox” which was used for currency control and to hold important documents from the 16th century.
16th-century “Strongbox” at Castillo de la Concepcion
16th-century book with important historic information.
16th-century historic book
We saw many interesting artifacts in the Castle, but what was extremely impressive was the outside section of the Castle. The views from the top of the castle were breathtaking. We could see the entire city and the mountains in the background.
Shelley on the top of the Castillo de la ConcepcionRay overlooking the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Castillo de la Concepcion was very interesting. We enjoyed walking up the trail, seeing the vistas and exploring the rich history of the Castle.
The city of Alicante has a very long and diverse history. Throughout the years there have been numerous battles and wars fought on the shores of Alicante. In 1936 there was a civil war and Alicante became a vital stronghold for the republican government. The Seneca Air Raid Shelter was part of a network of approximately 100 underground bomb shelters located throughout the City of Alicante. They were built by the republican Authorities during the Spanish civil war (1936 to 1939). Alicante was heavily bombed over 70 times during the civil war.
Map with locations of bomb shelters in Alicante during the civil war 1936-1939
These shelters were intended to protect the civilian population from air attacks by the German and Italian aircraft. Alicante was bombed more than 70 times between 1936 and 1939.
Image of one of the bombing runs over Alicante during the civil war of 1936-1939
The Plaza Seneca was renovated uncovering the entrances to the bomb shelter, which has now been opened up to the public. We went to check out the bomb shelter and learn about the network of shelters in Alicante.
Ray at the entrance of the Bomb Shelter R31 which is located in Seneca plaza
We began our tour in a small area with photos and documentation of the bomb shelters. Our guide spoke only Spanish and it was a challenge to understand some of the commentaries.
Our guide explaining the civil war and the creation of the Bomb shelters in Alicante
We had an opportunity to see some of the original documentation outlining the locations and designs of the various bomb shelters in Alicante.
We then saw a short video on the history of the creation of the shelters and the outcome of the civil war which ended with a dictatorship in Spain by Francisco Franco Bahamonde (4 December 1892 – 20 November 1975). He was a Spanish general who ruled over Spain as a dictator for 36 years from 1939 until his death in 1975.
After the video, we headed to see the bomb shelter. The door to the shelter provided access to a set of stairs which went down 21 feet underground. We headed down the stairs into the bomb shelter which has basically remained intact since its construction in 1936.
Stairway into the bomb shelter
At the base of the stairs, the shelter corridor turns to the left. The design of the shelter reduces the blast zone through separated small cubicle rooms throughout.
Model of the Seneca bomb shelter showing the layout of the divided rooms along the corridor.
The walls of the shelter were constructed with stone and the floor was a dirt floor.
Shelley in bomb shelter
There were different messages painted on the walls providing some instructions to people in the bomb shelter.
A message, “Keep silent for the duration of the alarm” painted in Spanish on the wall of the shelter.“Respect the shelter is belongs to everyone” written in Spanish“The center is the best of the shelter” In Spanish encouraging people to go to the center for safety.“Give seats to children and the elderly” in Spanish on Bomb shelter wall
Along one end of the shelter, there was a small medical section for people who may be injured.
Medical station at the end of the corridor in bomb shelter
The main corridor of the bomb shelter was 51 meters long and adjacent to the corridor were 38 cubicles. Each cubicle was intended to protect the people from the bombings.
Ray walking along the corridor of the bomb shelter51-meter long corridor of bomb shelter with 38 cubiclesCubicle in bomb shelter
The entire bomb shelter was able to hold 1200 people. There were no washrooms and very limited space and seating. The intent was simple to protect people for the duration of the bombings. We walked along the corridor and imagined the horror children and parents would have endured waiting in the bomb shelter while their homes were being bombed.
It was an interesting day but somewhat sad thinking about how people had to live during those years.
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