The History of Alicante

Anthropologists estimate that the first human settlers lived in the area of Alicante at around 5,000 to 3,000 B.C. The settlers were known to have inhabited the slopes of Monte Benacantil where the Castillo de Santa Barbara is presently located. They were mostly from Central Europe and were hunter gatherers. Due to its location on the Mediterranean coast, the settlers were able to trade with Greek and Phoenicians as early as 1,000 B.C. Based on archaeological remains, the settlers were known to have established small ports and traded with the foreigners. This led to the introduction of the alphabet and the use of iron and the pottery wheel. When Carthage and Rome began its invasion of the peninsula during 600 B.C., a fortified settlement was founded in Alicante by the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca. The fortification was called Akra Leuka which means “white mountain” or “white point”.

The Romans however became victorious over the Carthaginians and ruled the peninsula for the next seven centuries. The Roman town of Lucentum was founded on present day Alicante and its remains are still visible today, still attracting tourists interested in the Roman influences on the Iberian peninsula. The Visigoths held control of the Lucentum during the fifth century when the Roman Empire was in decline.

The Moors occupied the area after the Visigoths and brought art and architecture as well as crops like rice, palms and oranges. Their rule ended during the Reconquista or Reconquest when Castilian king Alfonso X finally took Alicante in 1246.

When peace finally settled in Alicante, it became a major trading station, still due to its strategic location. In the 15th century, it reached what is now known as the golden age or siglo de oro. The era ended when King Felipe III ordered the expulsion of thousands of moriscos from Valencia between 1609 and 1614 because of their support of pirates who had been damaging trade in the region. This act caused more harm than good with a multitude of laborers suddenly gone from the flourishing area of trade and commerce.

During the War of Spanish Succession the region supported Carlos. When Felipe won, he withdrew the semi-autonomous status of the region, leaving them to a slow economic decline through the 18th century. During these times, the region survived primarily by agricultural means. Only on the 19th century did Alicante recover with increased international trade.

The beginning of the 20th century which became a period of civil unrest for Spain has also reached Valencia. King Alfonso XIII finally abdicated the throne and a Spanish Republic was declared in 1931. Communists and socialists won the subsequent election but when they lost to the liberals and conservatives in 1933, a bloody revolution ensued.

The Spanish Civil War saw Franco’s rise to power and severe unrest and difficulties in Alicante. Franco’s twenty-year rule failed to lead to economic recovery. Added to this were climate disturbances (frosts) in 1941 and 1946 that damaged agriculture in the region.

In 1975, King Juan Carlos succeeded Franco and led Spain to democracy. Since then, Alicante and the rest of Valencia have known autonomy that has been denied them for centuries and have experienced steady economic growth ever since.

Benalmadena Spain


The History of Alicante Anthropologists estimate that the first human settlers lived in the area of Alicante at around 5,000 to 3,000 B.C. The settlers were known to have inhabited the slopes of Monte Benacantil where the Castillo de Santa Barbara is presently located. They were mostly from Central Europe and were hunter gatherers. Due to its location on the Mediterranean coast, the settlers were able to trade with Greek and Phoenicians as early as 1,000 B.C. Based on archaeological remains, the settlers were known to have established small ports and traded with the foreigners. This led to the introduction of the alphabet and the use of iron and the pottery wheel. When Carthage and Rome began its invasion of the peninsula during 600 B.C., a fortified settlement was founded in Alicante by the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca. The fortification was called Akra Leuka which means “white mountain” or “white point”. The Romans however became victorious over the Carthaginians and ruled the peninsula for the next seven centuries. The Roman town of Lucentum was founded on present day Alicante and its remains are still visible today, still attracting tourists interested in the Roman influences on the Iberian peninsula. The Visigoths held control of the Lucentum during the fifth century when the Roman Empire was in decline. The Moors occupied the area after the Visigoths and brought art and architecture as well as crops like rice, palms and oranges. Their rule ended during the Reconquista or Reconquest when Castilian king Alfonso X finally took Alicante in 1246. When peace finally settled in Alicante, it became a major trading station, still due to its strategic location. In the 15th century, it reached what is now known as the golden age or siglo de oro. The era ended when King Felipe III ordered the expulsion of thousands of moriscos from Valencia between 1609 and 1614 because of their support of pirates who had been damaging trade in the region. This act caused more harm than good with a multitude of laborers suddenly gone from the flourishing area of trade and commerce. During the War of Spanish Succession the region supported Carlos. When Felipe won, he withdrew the semi-autonomous status of the region, leaving them to a slow economic decline through the 18th century. During these times, the region survived primarily by agricultural means. Only on the 19th century did Alicante recover with increased international trade. The beginning of the 20th century which became a period of civil unrest for Spain has also reached Valencia. King Alfonso XIII finally abdicated the throne and a Spanish Republic was declared in 1931. Communists and socialists won the subsequent election but when they lost to the liberals and conservatives in 1933, a bloody revolution ensued. The Spanish Civil War saw Franco’s rise to power and severe unrest and difficulties in Alicante. Franco’s twenty-year rule failed to lead to economic recovery. Added to this were climate disturbances (frosts) in 1941 and 1946 that damaged agriculture in the region. In 1975, King Juan Carlos succeeded Franco and led Spain to democracy. Since then, Alicante and the rest of Valencia have known autonomy that has been denied them for centuries and have experienced steady economic growth ever since.
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