Have you ever noticed that there are crosses or monuments on the tops of some mountains or hills near cities? I have seen several; where we now live, there is a cross on the top of the nearest mountain, but we haven't visited it in person yet. I have seen them from afar in other places too (I know there are chapels and cemeteries there), but there is one cross I have already visited a few times. I did so today as well, with great pleasure, although I must confess I forgot that the path you have to take to climb this side of Sierra Helada is quite steep.
But there I was, happy for the opportunity I had the time today to do it and achieve it once again: reaching the cross of Benidorm and seeing the city from the perspective seen by the seagulls flying by.
In reality, I didn't know the reason why our ancestors began to place monuments and crosses in such high places near towns. I found a fact that says this became quite common in the late 19th century, at the suggestion of a pope (Pope Leo XIII). It seems he proposed erecting crosses on high places like hills to commemorate the beginning of the new 20th century.
The cross in Benidorm, however, was placed there on the mountain for another reason and much later, in 1961. This town was a small coastal village that lived off fishing, but times changed.
When foreigners discovered the sun in this area... everything changed, and the small fishing village was transformed into a city of skyscrapers. Sometimes they call it BeniYork. Everything can be found here.. good and bad things, and this was already noticeable sixty years ago. To redeem the city from its frivolous reputation, the people of Benidorm carried a huge cross (which was made of wood) on their shoulders to this place. It was difficult for me to climb it without anything, but with a cross on my shoulders, I imagine it would be more difficult.
However, it is worth the climb because the view at the end is beautiful, but so is the entire route.
The Easter holidays started for some provinces in Spain. More tourists came to this area to enjoy these days. I saw many families climbing and admiring the views, as well as cyclists and people jogging uphill. I have always found it difficult... I don't know how they can run uphill. For me, a slow walking pace was enough. 😆
As one bench suggested, Benidorm te espera (Benidorm is waiting for you) I will also give a small tip - if you happen to visit this city one day (I know, you must heard different things about it, probably bad ones), add this little walk to the cross into your schedule. Not because of the cross itself, which is not a special thing to see, but the views you can get from this route.
Love the overlooking view :)
😊 me too
What I liked the most is the light that the city has, everything looks very nice from the height and that sea, the view from that viewpoint is spectacular. Your photos are excellent. Nice day @mipiano.🥰
Thank you, Mamani. From this angle, it indeed looks nice, so we can conclude that birds have the best views always 😁
It's worth it to get there with those incredible views! How much I enjoyed the walk, the climb... I love the staircase photos! The sea.... love the sea!
Here I have a cross that I see when I've visited the northern area, but I haven't gone up there because... it's not recommended to go alone, it's dangerous to climb that part... let's see if I go accompanied hahaha
One has to take care of herself, don't even think of going alone, just in good company who is experienced and knows the area well. You know that we also got lost once, last year, in the mountains, no water, no mobile phone signal, nothing 😂
I am glad you liked this place. Ya has visto - Benidorm te espera 😁 I guess it is the most photographed bench in this part of the city haha
I'll write down the place and I also have all your blog!
The cross I'm talking about is on a mountain and the truth is that the place is slippery, I wouldn't get lost but it's dangerous to climb, I'll wait a bit but I assure you that I'll go there!
You really captured that feeling of accomplishment after a tough hike! Especially one with a view like that waiting at the top. The bit about the cross being carried up to redeem the city stuck with me.
I definitely felt happy to climb this path, and when I was going down it was already like flying hahaha
This view is incredible, it was really worth the trip up. I usually like to go higher if I can, the views are excellent.
I thought it said Espana there instead of Benidorm te espera haha.
So, you are in the club of those who like heights 😉
Haha, indeed it looks a bit like Espana but it means that it is waiting for you ;)
That is an incredible view and thank you for sharing the glimpse into the city history and the beautiful photos!
And thank you for stopping by 😊
I look forward to seeing more!
Hi @mipiano, I liked these views from the BeniYork cross. There are photographs that clearly justify this name. And I agree, I don't know how anyone can run up those hills.
Honestly, a very interesting walk. Thanks for the tour.
I hope you have a good night.
Running up hills is not a human skill 😂 it's more for aliens haha
Thank you, have a good night you too, I have the feeling if it was Friday 🤷🏽♀️
Like it's Friday if you don't work tomorrow. In any case Friday is very close.
A hug 🤗 and happy evening.
I see there's a house for sale for me 😆
To answer your question, people place crosses on mountains when they get to the top, both as a trophy and to mark the place for prayers, but this is a hills, so I don't know.
But the place is lovely.
𐲒𐳜 𐳖𐳉𐳙𐳙𐳉 𐳛𐳦𐳦 𐳁𐳖𐳙𐳐⹁ 𐳇𐳉 𐳙𐳉𐳘 𐳐𐳤 𐳘𐳉𐳢𐳉𐳓 𐳢𐳁𐳍𐳛𐳙𐳇𐳛𐳖𐳙𐳐⹁ 𐳘𐳉𐳙𐳚𐳐𐳂𐳉 𐳓𐳉𐳢𐳬𐳖 𐳉𐳎 𐳏𐳁𐳯 𐳛𐳦𐳦⹁ 𐳠𐳖𐳪𐳥 𐳀 𐳌𐳉𐳙𐳙𐳦𐳀𐳢𐳦𐳁𐳤𐳀 😆
𐲒𐳜 𐳖𐳉𐳙𐳙𐳉 𐳛𐳦𐳦 𐳋𐳖𐳙𐳐
𐲂𐳛𐳆𐳐 𐳀 𐳏𐳐𐳂𐳁𐳋𐳢𐳦
𐲛𐳦𐳦 𐳘𐳋𐳍 𐳁𐳖𐳙𐳐 𐳐𐳤 𐳇𐳢𐳁𐳍𐳀 𐳏𐳀𐳏𐳀
Yes, that could be a good explanation why crosses or flags are installed in certain mountains or places. ;)
🤣🤣🤣
Wow, it's really very beautiful, we can see the beauty from a height, especially the buildings that can be seen from below, they are incredibly interesting. And the cross that is visible on the top of the peak is very cool, it must be very fun to be there ❤️🙏
The cross was originally a wooden one. How nice it would be to see that one, but we would need a time machine for that :)
I am glad you liked the city, I also like to see it from this spot.
Such roads on the hills are very beautiful. The surrounding city looks very beautiful. The scenery around the mountains is amazing.
The paths are cool, one road leads to a little cove and the other one here to the cross.
Wow! The view is a perfect blend of contrast and beauty. Below, the beach stretched endlessly. Rising just beyond, it the skyscrapers pierced the sky. And in the distance, the mountains loomed in quiet strength.
The beaches are sandy and so long, they are full of tourists during the season. I like this view when the city is still half asleep ;)
Oh! Wow, I'm glad to know that lots of tourists are spending time on that beach. Thanks for sharing the wonderful place. 🥰
Cleansing the city… I hope more people appreciate that, because no matter what symbol is placed, if people don't distinguish right from wrong, nothing will change.
It looks fun, especially the stairs – like you're Kung Fu Panda on a spiritual path. 😄
The rockier, the better, and the view is definitely worth it.
And what exactly is this "bad reputation" that people talk about?
Hahaha, indeed, the stairs and the whole climbing part (ok, it is climbing all the time actually 😆) is like a spiritual path haha. Good comparison, thank you.
The bad reputation is due to the amount of alcohol the tourists consume here, (booze tourism) and then every kind of undesirable behaviour can appear from drunk people...
Beautiful place, from the peak we can see a lot of natural beauty and the beauty of the city, this place makes me really want to visit it.
That's awesome have a nice day my friend
It is definitely an interesting spot to observe the city.
First of all the landscape and the view from the top is great, and the truth is that in my country we also see a lot the theme of the crosses on top of a mountain, I was curious to know more about this, joining the data that you mention in the post.
Good to know that crosses (or other monuments) are placed in the mountains in the other continents too. ;) Thank you @ancnoticias :)
Beautiful place and photographys. Bleesings for You and happy day.
Thank you @mariolisrnaranjo :)
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I've spent so many nights looking up at this cross from assorted hotel and apartment balconies !
Funny you should call Benidorm BeniYork. I live a few miles from Woking in Surrey, and after their big building programme over the last few years (funded by borrowing the council can never pay back...) we call it WokiDorm 😁