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Date Published: 09/11/2021

ARCHIVED - Santa Barbara Castle lifts are back: iconic Alicante tourist attraction finally accessible to everyone

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

After months of being out of action, two elevators are now up and running at Alicante's impressive Castle of Santa Bárbara

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Santa Barbara Castle lifts are back: iconic Alicante tourist attraction finally accessible to everyone

One of the biggest tourist attractions in Alicante is once again accessible to the elderly and people with reduced mobility with the reopening of two lifts.

For 18 months, the lifts have been out of action and a shuttle bus had been temporarily cancelled due to the health crisis, meaning anyone without their own transport had to climb approximately two kilometres to enjoy the panoramic views from the top of the castle, which attracts around 400,000 visitors every year.

There's been no mention of reinstating the shuttle bus, but Alicante Council has confirmed that two lifts are now back in action following "an exhaustive revision after the forced closure", allowing access to the fortress via Avenida Juan Bautista Lafora.

The lifts will be open daily from 10am until minutes before the attraction closure at 8pm, with reduced capacity and a maximum of 90 people in the entrance tunnel.

"The health prevention measures in force, in line with those set by the competent authorities, limit occupancy to one third of the capacity inside the lifts, which is 16 people, except in the case of people living together," explained the city council, adding that mask wearing is obligatory and eating and drinking is prohibited.

The Castle of Santa Bárbara is located at the top of Mount Benacantil, covering an area of more than 39,000 sqm and dates back to the 10th Century.

Last month, concerns were raised that the "jewel in Alicante's crown", declared a municipal heritage site and an Asset of Cultural Interest, was inaccessible to the majority of people due to the lifts being out of order.

"The municipal government has degraded the castle to the point of it being almost inaccessible. We have no lift, no shuttles, and the car park and pedestrian wall are in a deplorable state," argued opposition Compromis councillor, Rafa Mas.

However, the city council assured on Monday November 8 that "from now on, Alicante Tourist Dapartment will be in charge of managing and enhancing the Castle of Santa Bárbara as a reference point for the historical and monumental heritage of the city, promoting the social, tourist and economic use of the attraction and its image as a tourist destination."

Images: Ayuntamiento de Alicante

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