Alicante History
Alicante city is the capital of the Alicante province in the Costa Blanca region of Spain. A city rich in culture and history, you can book a cheap flight to Spain with Jet2.com and explore Alicante history, dating as far back as 7000 BC.
The first inhabitants of the Alicante province are widely believed to have been hunter-gatherer tribes in around 5000-3000 BC, who moved to Spain gradually from Central Europe. The area became popular with Greek and Phoenician traders by around 1000 BC and small but bustling trading ports developed. A vicious struggle to claim the land broke out in 6 BC between Carthage and Rome, leading to the Carthaginian general’s establishment of the fortified settlement of Akra Leuka (meaning White Mountain) in the spot where you will now find Alicante city!
Soak up the Alicante history and culture yourself by booking a cheap flight to Spain online at Jet2.com.
Before the Carthaginians could become too settled the Romans overthrew them and took control of the area for over 700 years. Struggle for power in the area continued through the years until the decline of Rome’s power in the fifth century allowed the Visgoths (more commonly known as the Goths) to assert control for some time.
Modern Alicante still owes much to the significant influence of the Arabs, who claimed cultural dominance and ruled Southern and Eastern Spain after the Goths and until the 11th century, introducing foods such as oranges and rice and introducing Moorish art and architecture.
You can enjoy all the staples of Spanish culture brought over by the Moors, when you take a cheap flight to Spain with Jet2.com and visit Alicante.
After centuries of conflict over the area, Alicante was finally claimed in 1246 by the Castellan leader, King Alfonso X and, during the 15th century, relative peace and prosperity reigned. Alicante was becoming a major trading location and exported numerous popular goods including olive oil, rice, wine, oranges and wool. More troubled times were just around the corner for Alicante however. In the early 1600’s, King Felipe III expelled thousands of Moriscos for their allegiance with the Berberisc pirates who would continually attack the coastal cities of the region and damage Alicante's trade. The loss of the banished labourers hit the area hard and the economic slump continued through the 18th and 19th centuries. By the 20th century however, things were looking up for Alicante’s economy.
Despite the strengthening of the economy, the first quarter of the 20th century saw the whole of Spain heading towards troubled times, with revolution on the horizon. Civil unrest was palpable after years of King Alfonso XIII attempting to enforce a failing military dictatorship. He abdicated and in 1931 a Spanish Republic was declared. Struggles continued and in 1936 an uprising was led in an attempt to squash the advance of communism in Spain, supported by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.
Three years of bloody civil war followed, ending in the right-wing armies of Francisco Franco claiming victory and creating 20 years of a Spanish police state. After Franco’s death in 1975, Spain was led towards democracy by King Juan Carlos and Alicante, along with the rest of the Valencia region’s cities, enjoyed an independence it had not been allowed for four centuries. This independence continued and Alicante today is a unique and beautiful Spanish destination.
Experience modern Alicante by taking a low cost flight to Spain with Jet2.com this year.
Alicante is now a bustling, lively Spanish city, with plenty to offer the modern tourist or traveller. Book a cheap flight to Spain with Jet2.com and sample Alicante’s most successful exports of Spanish wine, olive oil and fruits. Visit the beaches of the Costa Blanca when you fly to Alicante with Jet2.com, famed for their beauty, and soak up the Spanish sun. With historical sites, lively nightlife, and unique festivals, Alicante history has something to offer everyone. Take a look at our Alicante city guide for more on modern Alicante and then book your low cost flight to Spain online with Jet2.com today. You can also find out about a number of other fantastic Spanish destinations we offer cheap flights to, just take a look at our Spanish destinations guide. With so much to offer and with such low cost flights available every day, you can please yourself!
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