| STARTING WITH, |
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We are going to begin our route at the
square of Canalejas, where there is one of the most typical streets
of our old quarter “el Carrer dels Gats” (Cats Street) which
is a sample of the town design of the old seafaring Benidorm. If we
go up its stone steps we reach the “Iglesia de San Jaime”
(Church of Saint Jaimes), which dates from the 18th century. It is precisely
in 1740 when the “Virgen del Sufragio” (Virgin of the Suffrage),
the patron saint of Benidorm, is found. At that time the village fishermen
acquired international prestige on being entrusted the instalation of
almost all the trap netting of the Mediterranean (difficult art of fishing
tuna, with a complicated net system). From then on Benidorm experiences
a considerable growth and the town begins to expand with the creation
of new streets: Santa Faz, Condestable Zaragoza, Alicante, etc..., which
form the current picturesque old quarter of the town.
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| FOLLOWED BY THE OLD TOWN, |
| We are bound
to reach one of the most emblematic places of the town , “El Mirador
del Castillo” (The Castle-Viewpoint) of Benidorm. The fortress, which
acted as defence against the incrusions of Algerian and Berber pirates
in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, was built on the great rock which
divides the two beaches. Later on the Castle was abandoned, and now only
the remains of its walls are left lying on the rocks of the “Mirador”
(Viewpoint) which is also known as the Mediterranean balcony.
Alfter looking at the marvellous views affered by this place, we go down the stone steps which take us to the “Puerto de Benidorm” (Port of Benidorm). The small “Playa del Mal Pas” (Beach of the Mal Pas) is next to the port. This beach is protectes by the castle cliffs and the port breakwater. All the nautical activities take place of the town and from here we can start an interesting sea-crossing to the “Isla de Benidorm” (Island of Benidorm), also known as the journalists’ island
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| AND FINISHED BY THE PORT, |
| We can see the sea wall
of “Playa de Poniente” (Poniente Beach), where the “Parque
de Elche” (Park of Elche) is located, whose name is derived from
the beautiful palm threes which come originally from the neighbouring
Alicante town.
We will continue our walk through the town, going towards the great centre of Benidorm which is no other than the well-known “Parque de l’Aigüera” (Park of l’Aigüera). This great piece of town architecture, designed by Ricardo Bofill, has large green spaces a centre walk and two auditoriums ahere the majority of the artistic and cultural shows are held, one of which being the “Festival de la Canción de Benidorm” (Benidorm Song Festival). To end this interesting route, nothing better than enjoy a walk along the new “Paseo Marítimo de la Playa de Levante” (Promenade of Levante Beach). When night falls, this large avenue is at its best, acting as a place of amusement and relaxation for all those who visit us. |
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