2. The Key to the Kingdom Route

Baptized as “La Clau del Regne” (The Key to the Kingdom) by Peter IV of Aragon, the “Ceremonious”, this stronghold of Alicante had a decisive, strategic position in the War of the Two Peters (1356-1369) a war which brought the latter King against his Castilian peer who bore the same name, Peter I the Cruel. When standing at the height of the “Macho” of the Santa Bárbara Castle –the high lookout point where the old Alcazaba stood– we can once again feel the domain over the Mediterranean Sea and the inland which was held by the ancient defenders of the fort and of the city of Alicante.
“La Clau del Regne” is accompanied by a host of other unique locations. For example, the fort at the islet of New Tabarca: a walled facility designed in 1769 to house and protect the colony of 300 Genoese coral gatherers from the Bey of Tunis’s wrath. Mutxamel, Busot, El Campello, the Santa Faz Monastery and its tower, and other constructions which dot the orchard area are additional route milestones. This route reveals the relationship between agrarian fertility and constructions designed for the protection of muchsought- after territory due to its richness and strategic value.

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Alicante- Isla de Nueva Tabarca: Murallas y Puertas de Nueva Tabarca, Torre de San José.

Alicante: El Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Las murallas de la ciudad de Alicante, Fuerte de San Fernando, Torre del Monasterio de la Santa Faz, Torres de la Huerta.

Mutxamel: Torre de Mutxamel.

Busot: Castillo de Busot.

El Campello: Torre de la Illeta.

Aigúes: La Torre de Aigües.


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You can't miss...

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Natural Parks

The Tabarca Marine Reserve, established in 1986 and the first of its type in all of Spain, offers a host of experiences for lovers of underwater activities.

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Tourism resources

Alicante houses museums like the Marq, the MUBAG, the MACA, and the Volvo Ocean Race Museum. Culture and jazz, theater,
and film festivals coexist with the “late night,” “party” scene.

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Gastronomic offer

Caldero –a stew made with broth from bay fish and accompanied by a side of rice– is the signature dish of the region.
Eating it in Tabarca is a must.

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Typical products

Alicante’s garden is prolific, with well-known products like the tomato and beans from Mutxamel. The historic market
unites the best products from the land and the sea.

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Beachs

There are urban beaches, powdery sand beaches, and charming coves – all of which are distributed over the coast of
Alicante and El Campello.