We had a visit from family and we were so excited to have Janice and Scott here in Alicante. They arrived in Madrid and we met them at the airport and then came back to Alicante by train. They arrived at the perfect time because Alicante has a large fiesta called the Hogueras de San Juan, which is an annual event in June. Each day we tried to explore and see different things of Alicante. There is much to see and do here. One day we walked and explored some of the different hogueras that were being set up throughout the city.
The large pieces of art work and sculptures are made with wood and paper mache and are truly amazing to see. We walked along the different streets checking out the various hogueras.
After walking and exploring the hogueras we stopped along the way to enjoy some refreshments.
Scott and Janice enjoying a refreshment with a view of the Santa Barbara Castle behind them
Another day we went to explore and see the 9th century fortified Santa Barbara Castle which is located on Mont Benacantil and overlooks Alicante and the Mediterranean sea.
View of the Santa Barbara Castle from the Marina in AlicanteJanice and Shelley at Santa Barbara CastleView from the Santa Barbara CastleView from the Castle overlooking the Sea
We walked along the promenade and the beach enjoying the view of the Mediterranean Sea. There were parades and music everywhere we went.
We had friends come and visit with us from Sweden. We had a BBQ and enjoyed time together. We even decided to play a Virtual reality game together. It was a great experience involving a scenario of aliens invading Alicante and we had to save the city. It was a lot of fun, here is a short video of our game, spoiler alert, we saved the City.
We so enjoyed our time in Alicante but before we knew it, the time had come for us to head to our next adventure.
We packed our bags and headed to the airport, Budapest here we come.
In Alicante every year there is a major festival called “Les Fogueres de Sant Joan”. It begins on the 20th of June and ends with the “Cremá” which starts at midnight on June 24th. The city is bustling with noise and activities during the week of the “Fogueres”.
We try to participate and enjoy as much of the activities as possible during the fiesta. One of our favorite things to do is explore the fogueres on display at most major locations.
Shelley and Ray in front of one of the fogueres
There were a total of 89 fogueres in this year’s fiesta. We put together a small gallery of some of the creative, different and beautiful fugueres we saw.
We also took part in other events during the fiesta, inluding the Mascletà, parades and the famous “crema” which roughly translates to “cremate”
We went to our friends apartment which overlooks one of the main fougeres. Their balcony provides the perfect spot to view the fiesta activities and the crema.
Shelley and Ray in front of the large fougeres which we watched being burnt at the crema.
Below is a small video of the crema activities which is one of the highlights of the fiesta.
Our friend Felipe who is involved in a lot of tourist activities assisted in a video about Alicante. It is in Spanish but shows some of the great things we see in Alicante.
We always enjoy the Hougeras of San Juan and try to participate in as much as we can. Until the next time be safe and enjoy life.
“Lo mejor de la vida es seguir adelante con todos tus planes y tus sueños, abrazar la vida y vivir todos los días con pasión.”
Every year for the past 90 years, Alicante has hosted the “Hougeres” and celebrated the bonfires of San Jaun. We were fortunate to be invited to our friends place to watch the “Noche de la Cremà“ which is the burning of the hougeres. We headed there early to take a walk around the hougere before going up to the apartment.
Shelley and Ray at the Hougeres
The hougere was three storeys high and had some beautiful features to it.
Detailed painting of faces on hougere
Detailed different features of the hougere
There was also a smaller hougere which was done by children which was also very impressive and beautiful.
Children’s Hougere
It was sad to think that all of the 89 hougeres in the city would be destroyed by fire later in the night. We went up to our friends apartment to spend the evening and watch the activities. We gathered on the terrace to enjoy the party and watch the crowds.
Alli and Shelley on the terrace
Ray and Augustine on the terrace
The apartment overlooks one of the main hougeres on a large street in Alicante. We had a perfect view from their terrace.
The view of the hougeres from the terrace
The view down the street was full of people and lights.
The view down the street from the terrace
We watched people gather and get ready for the burning of the hougeres. The fire truck arrived and began to set up and prepare for the burning.
Fire truck arriving at the hougere to set up for the burning
The burning of the hougeres begins at midnight and is signaled by a large palm fireworks sent up from the Santa Barbara Castle.
After the signal we watched for the start of the burning of our hougere. There were fireworks going off throughout the city and the atmosphere was incredible. We enjoyed watching the burning of our hougere and seeing the firefighters spraying the crowd with water.
Firefighter spraying the crowd
People edging the firefighter on and getting sprayed with water
The spraying of the crowd is a ritual in the event. The crowd chants insults at them in jest and they then turn the water spray on the crowd. There is also a song which roughly translates to “Wet me fireman, please wet me. I’m dying of heat, save me from this hot flush”. The crowd also chant “agua, agua, agua”over and over until they get sprayed. It is all done in fun.
Small hougere burning and firefighters spraying the crowd with water
We put the following video together to give you an idea of the extent and amazing nature of the burning of the hougeres. The video is only a small portion of the party that continues throughout the night.
The experience was one we will always remember. It is amazing how the Bonfires of San Juan and the Hougeres in Alicante are celebrated every year.
We went with friends to a cycling group to tour some of the fogueres in Alicante. We arrived at the meeting place which was near the Plaza del Toros.
Shelley, Sonja’s daughter, Sonja and Ray at the start of the cycling tour
It was a very hot day and we were surprised to see so many cyclist there.
Cyclist gathered near the Plaza del Toros preparing to tour the fogueres.
We left the Plaza del Toros and headed toward our first foguere. It was tricky cycling at first because of how close we were to other cyclist.
Cyclist along the route to see fogueres
We went a few blocks and then came to our first stop. The foguere was interesting and focused on a specific topic. It was people of all different type and nationality. The focus of the foguere was that we are all inter-connected and co-dependant.
Shelley at our first stop of the fogueres.
Foguere of different people in the world
After checking out the foguere we saw another one which was close by. This particular foguere was very impressive with ornate designs and detail. The focus of the foguere is the government corruption that is an issue in Spain.
The political Puppeteer pulling the strings
The political parties being caught up in scandals
Mariano Rajoy -Prime minister of Spain and other politicians as clowns
Mushrooms on the ground representing the public which is being fed manure by the politicians.
A maze showing the politicians actions before being ousted from office.
We enjoyed reading and looking at the different pieces of the foguere. We then got back on our bikes and headed towards our next foguere. We arrived at a huge foguere which had some spectacular art work. This foguere also focused on world politicians.
Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump with missiles pointed at each other.
The fogueres had some very pointed opinions about the nonsense that is taking place across the world. We would take our time and read each sign. It was the regular people making statements about the politician and policies that affect their lives. The signs below Trump and Kim translates roughly as “they enjoy moving boats, for them it’s just a game, we’re fed up with their big show of ego” and “poisoned songs are these serene of war, two countries face massacre our future.” “in the “summit” we saluted and we all breathe, this is well that they speak even if they are lies to one of the other”
There were lots of details in the fogueres. Everywhere we looked you would see small details and ornate decorations.
Detailed sections of the fogueres
Shelley and Ray in front of a three-story high foguere
Some of the small detailed sections of the fogueres
We cycled for approximately three hours and then came to one foguere which was different. This one was giving away free drinks of horchata.
Shelley and Ray at a foguere during the cycling tour.
This foguere was sponsored in part by a company that made “horchata de chufa” which is a traditional Spanish drink. It is made with the chufa sage bulb and is a refreshing natural drink .
Sonja and Shelley at one of the fogueres on our cycling tour
We enjoyed the free horcheta and looked at the foguere.
Foguere focused on water use and supply
Large crowds of people throughout the viewing of the fogueres.
Foguere creatures of the sea with clocks showing time running out.
Throughout the cycling tour we saw many different fogueres and enjoyed seeing the many different pieces of artwork. We came to our last foguere of the evening which was also quite interesting.
Three story high foguere
Foguere against violence
There were so many things to see that the evening went by quickly. We really enjoyed the tour and seeing different fogueres along the way.
We decided to walk down to the area of the Plaza del Luceros to watch and hear the mascletà’s on Sunday.
Statue in the Plaza del Luceros
The mascletàs are popular in Spain and particularly in our area. Masclaterà’s are pyrotechnics that focus on noise and rhythm. The Mascleterà’s are started at 2 p.m. and last approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
As we got closer to Luceros the crowds became thicker and larger.
crowds gathering towards the Luceros Plaza for the mascletà’s
People gather early and try to get as close as possible to the barrier fences to be as close as possible. The percussion of the noise can be felt in the entire body, when you are fairly close to Luceros square.
We walked to an area that was not too close to the front of Luceros and found a good spot to watch the mascleta. The noise is very loud and we brought ear plugs to protect our ears.
Shelley and Ray with hearing protection at the mascletà
The mascletà last approximately 15 minutes and escalates in loudness and speed throughout the event. The smoke and sound can be seen across the entire city.
Smoke from the mascletà’s in Luceros plaza
It is a cultural thing here in Alicante and families bring children and even babies to the mascletà.
Young family at the Mascletà’s in Alicante
The mascletà is part of the fiesta called The Bonfires of Saint John. In Alicante, the fiesta has been established since 1928 and is celebrating it’s 90 anniversary this year.
Mascletà gets its name from the masclets (very loud firecrackers) that are tied by a wick to form a line or firework display. You will hear them throughout the video below.
It is an interesting and amazing thing to see and hear. It is one of the many unique things about living in Spain.
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