Alicante Parks
The city is dotted with
a variety of leafy, green areas. Among them we find the Panteón
de Quijano, Portal de Elche, Plaza de Gabriel Miró and
Plaza de Calvo Sotelo, as well as the recently opened La Ereta
Park, on the slopes of Mount Benacantil, offering spectacular
views of the city and the sea.
However, just one area within the city - Canalejas, located just
beyond the Explanada de España - can be considered to acquire
the category of park. Canelejas Park contains a monument to the
Alicante writer Carlos Arniches. Of particular note are the rubber
plants, more than a hundred years old and impressive both for
their height and size.
Outlying areas of the city have important areas of parkland, namely,
the Parque del Oueste and Parque del Morant, although possibly
the most beautiful of all is the Palmeral. Located right next
to the sea on the road out of the city to Cartagena, it has an
area of 72,000m2, hundreds of palm trees and other native and
tropical species, not to mention an extensive leisure area.
Located on Tossal mountain next to the San Fernando Castle, is
a theme park occupying an area of 63,000m2. Laid out in terraces,
it has spaces for playing mini-golf, bowls and chess, for skating,
skateboarding and cyclo-cross as well as for running and walking
and for contemplating the marvellous panoramic views.
Canalejas Park
The most remarkable feature of this park located by the sea, a
continuation of the Explanada de España, is its collection
of gigantic, centenary rubber plants. The entrances to the park
are flanked by stone sculptures of lions and dogs, and within
you will find a number of small fountains, a surface representation
in stone of a map of Spain and a monument to the Alicante writer
Carlos Arniches.
The Explanada de España
Is a promenade with four rows of palms set down in gardens that
run almost half a kilometre. It is paved with an enormous mosaic
of tri-coloured marble composed of 6,600,000 tiles, and with geometric
shapes identical to those in the modern harbour square, which
is recognisable by its Corinthian capital columns. There is an
auditorium at the midpoint of the Explanada for Municipal Band
concerts.
Ereta Park
Situated on the slopes of the Benacantil hill, the park is divided
into different areas giving the possibility of making a route
on foot from Santa Bárbara Castle, on the top of the hill,
to the old town enjoying at the same time the wonderful sights
of the city and the city walls.
The Panteón de Quijano
Is an enclosed garden dating from the middle of the 19th century.
It contains a mausoleum and obelisk dedicated to the memory of
the Civil Governor of the city, Trino González de Quijano,
who died in heroic circumstances.
El Palmeral
This forest of palm trees overlooking the sea, is located at the
southern extremity of the city. In addition to its wide selection
of native plant species, waterfalls and lakes, the gardens include
some children's play areas.
El Tossal
This is a large entertainment and leisure area that includes a
theme park representation of the existing regions of the Valencian
Autonomous Community in the form of games. The park also has a
selection of sports facilities that includes a football field,
athletics stadium, sports pavilion, heated swimming-pool and gymnastics
training centre.
Alicante guide