Another city, another admission exam and another Wednesday walk! ๐
This is the place we have been today, for the same reason we walked in a park in Valencia last week. Waiting for our son while he was doing the theory part of the admission exam for the music conservatory early in the morning, my husband and I could use that time to see around. I had to be back for the interpretation part, which started at 10 am... the morning clouds were still stronger than the sun in some moments... as if they represented the struggles of the students fighting with the questions in the test. My son said it was harder than the exam in Valencia ๐ฌ (we still don't know the results, and will get them just in two or three days for both conservatories).
Better focus on the walk and the map where we started this little stroll.
To be honest, we didn't walk all these paths, just around the fortress of San Fernando and through a tiny part of a park. With more time and another occasion which would be less stressful, we could explore a bit more of this part of the city of Alicante.
Around the fortress
It was not so spectacular to see the curtain walls of the fortress and the moat. It had a poor appearance with a beaten path in the middle of dry grass and even trash (beer and soft drinks cans, papers, and some plastic bags...). Also, there were some graffiti on the walls. Sometimes I like to see nice graffiti but definitely not on the walls of a fortress!!
This complex was built at the beginning of the 19th century, as a defence fortress during the Peninsular War. Its rooms had to be used for the troops but also as a prison.
I can't go back in time to see what it looked like two centuries ago... but I didn't like to see it in this abandoned state as it is nowadays. Well, it is not damaged or ruined, but it is not cleaned as it should be.
The entrance
There are three entrances to the fortress. We started with this gate and after we looked around I also checked the other gate - with the lions (first photo).
Walking into the fortress
For us, it was easy to access the fortress. Obviously, as we were not enemies; we also had this wooden ramp leading to the middle of the military complex.
Here, we are getting closer the another gate which would go through the curtain wall.
The hole in the wall became a little tunnel, but once again I could see the sad condition of this fortress. Graffiti on the walls.
Inside the fortress
"Inside" here means just the platforms of the fortress as we had no access to the rooms in the walls. They were all closed, even the main one which probably could be a kind of museum. Maybe we were there too early (or they don't open at all anymore).
As the fortress is on the top of a hill, it is perfect to place the antennas that the city uses. That is good, however, I see again a lot of weed - a shame to see this place in this condition.
Stairs leading to a closed gate...
The views
At least the views from this place were cool. From a different altitude and spot (there were different levels and platforms in this fortress) we can see the sea, the city and the other castle (Santa Barbara) from a slightly different angle.
The park
When we left behind the fortress we still had a bit of time to try to find a coffee shop and cross this park. A graffiti wall is ok in that place, I think.
Unfortunately, the only bar that we found near this place was closed so I decided to go back to the place where my son had the exam.
The music conservatory
The building that hosts the Music and Dance Conservatory of Alicante was an orphanage in the past, (as far as I have been told). It is very close to the fortress and the views from there are similar to those I have already shown. Not a bad place for such an institution, though it would also need some improvements in aesthetics.
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Such an amusing post! This place is beautiful. I think it must feel mesmerizing to walk over there. On the other hand, I hope your son passed the exams. Music theory is really really hard, so I already know he is brave ๐๐ผ.
Thank you. About the exams' results - we will see... he said the questions were weird ๐ but he didn't want to talk about it as he had to focus on the interpretations and sight reading parts.
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So you did something useful instead of just waiting for him to come out.
It feels like you are visiting a location from some movie set ๐ . The fortress had some vibes to provide.
A movie set - where I would invert into some improvements if I were the producer, to bring even nicer vibes ;)) Well, depends on the kind of movie that would be filmed there, if a thriller or drama, then it is fine in this condition :D
You would be making some fantastic changes (cuz you are creative ๐ฏ).
Hiya, @lauramica here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Top 3 in Travel Digest #2238.
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Oh wow, thank you a lot, @lauramica and Worldmappin team! ๐ค
I love and super love castles!!!! What a view for goodness sake! I love it! one day I'll go all along the coast!!! I know, I know!
I have an Argentinian friend who lived in Alicante for 7 years and he used to tell me a lot of things before I came here.
I loved the walk!๐
Castle lover - luckily, there are quite many castles in Spain - we can enjoy many of them. ;) but I don't understand why the city doesn't maintain this fort a little better.
I think the same, many places could be better maintained. The day I can I'll do a tour but only of castles, I assure you I won't get tired hahaha
Hello
Is there still a gourmet restaurant open near the castle?
I remember the last time I went to Alicante I made the attempt to enter until I saw the limited dishes and above all the hefty price.
I only saw the castle from the outside and with your post I see it more interesting and I'm going to visit it in good conscience.
Regards
I haven't noticed a gourmet restaurant. I was just there in its upper part and then went back to the music conservatory.... but the only bar that we saw was closed ๐
Now I'm looking on the internet and I think the restaurant was in the castle of Santa Barbara. many years since my last visit.
๐ ๐ ๐
The natural beauty is extraordinary and the buildings there look quite special and beautiful.
A very interesting place and an excellent post @mipiano friend!... Wow, I loved the city view photos from above, this one especially:
A postcard!...
Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much @jlinaresp ๐
The city is always nicer when we look at it from a fortress or a hill ;))
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I confess that I have liked better other places I have toured with you on Wednesdays, but I appreciate this new one. Those moats of the fortress are very similar to those of "La Cabaรฑa" here in Havana.
It won't be long before the wait for the results is over, I imagine you must be anxious. Un abrazo.
I also prefer Valencia for example... but there is no castle hahaha
Yes, two or three days more to wait for the results. And then - the real challenge just starts hahaha ๐
Congratulations @mipiano! You received a sweet smile from TravelFeed. We love your work so keep up the good job. ๐
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Wow! The place is incredible Ma'am @mipiano very peaceful and beautiful view
Thank you :)