Alicante was one of the last cities to fall to Franco's armies at the end of the Civil War. Many Alicantinos are determined to remember and preserve what they can of the Civil War legacy.
Author: viewfromlavila
I blog mostly about my favourite corner of Spain — Villajoyosa on the Costa Blanca — but also anything else in Spain that takes my fancy. I’m based in London, but spend as much time in Villajoyosa (aka La Vila Joiosa, or La Vila for short) as I can get away with.
Top walks around Villajoyosa: Torre del Barranc d’Aigües
The Torre del Barranc d'Aigües is a lonely watchtower perched 140m feet (450 feet) above the sea, about halfway between Alicante and Benidorm. Views from up here are spectacular; on a clear day, you can see 40km up the coast.
Landmarks of the Civil War in Alicante, 80 years on
The Spanish Civil War left many marks on Alicante, some still visible 80 years after the conflict ended. The city was bombed repeatedly; one raid caused more casualties than any other single attack in the entire war. You can now visit two of Alicante's Civil War shelters.
Gateway to exile: the last secret headquarters of Spain’s Civil War leaders
Eighty years ago, the Spanish Civil War ended and the Republican government went into exile. Its last days in Spain were spent at a secret headquarters in the hills behind Alicante.
Exploring Finestrat: a mountain town with a toe in the sea
The little community of Finestrat has a split personality. It's a pretty old town perched on a limestone cliff a few kilometres from Benidorm. But it's also a beach resort with some of the worst over-development you're likely to see anywhere on the Costa Blanca.
Where small is beautiful; microvineyards in the mountains of Alicante
Small is beautiful, so the saying goes. And that's very true of the microvineyards of Celler la Muntanya, near Alcoy in Alicante, Spain
How to order the best seafood in Spain
Fresh seafood, perhaps with a chilled glass of white wine, is one of the best things about Spanish eating. Here's how to find your way round a seafood menu, with English translations
Dining at Hemingway’s table at the oldest restaurant in the world
The oldest restaurant in the world has been serving meals in Madrid for almost three centuries. And over the years, they've had some interesting guests...
Bulls and brandy: the story behind Spain’s roadside icons
They're a regular roadside sight in Spain. Huge black bulls dominating the skyline. But why are they there, and who put them up in the first place?
Ávila: the spectacular walled city of saints and stones
Ávila has the most spectacular medieval city walls in Spain. They look like something out of a fairy tale, especially floodlit at night.
