Last Friday I had the opportunity to take a relatively short walk in the city of Alicante. I was looking for a peculiar street with giant mushrooms that you might see in this post. As my time was limited, I had to be quick. Walking from the harbour toward the promenade and the city hall, finding the funny fungi street and getting back to the car. The day had to continue with all its tasks so Alicante will wait for another occasion to be Hive-photo-discovered. If this word makes any sense... 😂
About the name of the city, Alicante...
A few years ago I watched a documentary on the local TV about the city where a legend about a princess was told. You know, the typical - there is a pretty princess whose father promises her hand to a man who can complete a given challenge. Usually, at least two young men compete to conquer the princess, which also happens in this legend. Almanzor and Ali both wanted to marry her, the pretty princess Cántara. Almanzor went abroad to bring species and silk and the other one, Ali stayed in the city and was building the irrigation ditch.
The latter was close to the girl so naturally they fell in love, but a legend would not be a legend if finished with a happy end. Almanzor came back after a year and brought wealth so the father gave her daughter's hand to him. What do you think - how this story ended?
This is what I offer you to choose from:
The daughter was obedient and married the one who fulfilled his task and they lived together happily until the end of their lives.
The father was kindhearted so he listened to her daughter and let her choose who she wanted, despite the promise to Almanzor.
Ali suffered from the news that Cántara would marry Almanzor so he ended his life. Cántara ends her life too, knowing that her love died. The city's inhabitants as a tribute to these two lovers decided to give it a new name - a fusion between Ali and Cántara - Alicant.
There are more details that you can read about here and you will see that the third option is what the legend says, but there is also a different explanation about the name which includes facts and history instead of dramatic fantasies.
So, let's see the facts.
It had several names. The Latin name was Lucentum but with the arrival of the Arabs, this name evolved to al-Laqant. In the Valencian language, you actually pronounce it in that way, Alacant, but the Spanish version of it is Alicante, so I tend to believe in these facts, but the legend is also compelling.
It would be interesting to talk more about the origin of the city's name but you remember, I had to be quick as work was waiting for me. Luckily, once again I had a kind young helper at home to prepare the lunch while I was heading toward this nice architectural gem, Casa Carbonell which you see in the next photo.
While I was waiting for the traffic light to turn green and cross this street, I saw El Adivinador (The fortune teller) - an interesting bronze sculpture and approached it to take a photo.
It seems that it is missing one part, as I saw it a few years ago with a rounded thing in his head, with numbers. When I saw him last Friday, I thought the poor guy had been injured by some vandals. But this source says that it was a storm that brought down the top of the artwork two years ago.
Finally, I crossed the street and went toward the building of the city hall. How nice it is with its towers and the clock.
It was 2 pm. My son messaged me that the food was ready...
My side replied that there was no time for being hungry or thinking about food. 😂
Anyway, the narrow streets in the city centre were full of bars and restaurants and people enjoying their meals. I passed by them, as well as by several nice shops. This was my favourite, because of the massive wooden door shutters.
In this short walk, I also passed by a few little squares with huge ficus trees that couldn't fit into the frame of the photos... but this statue - a lady with a jar, can come to the post as she has not been moving from her place I guess for a very long time. A pigeon visited her head though.
Is it a living hat? 😂
Not far away from this little square with the fountain and the statue I found the mushroom street and later I had to walk back to the harbour. This time I chose the promenade.
The pavement of Paseo de la Explanada is really impressive. And it is not a surprise it looks this great - six and a half million tiles were used for this splendid wavy mosaic, plus four rows of palm trees run for almost half a kilometre of the length of this promenade.
On the same promenade, we can find a stage for musical performances, called The Auditorium la Concha. No concert or musician was there... and I am happy about that as this way I just kept on walking and arriving directly at the parking lot. I paid for the service and left the city with its mysterious name in a rush. Next time, I owe this place a longer visit!
The name is pleasant and melodious, I like it a lot. Alicante! I don't like these legends that always end with the death of the unfortunate ladies in love. They are always forbidden to choose…
I would have liked it more if it was a story about a handsome boy Ali, who sang (canta) beautifully and the princess fell madly in love with him. And the emperor changing the name of the city for their sake... Ali-canta!
I love the esplanade, it's impressive! I wonder if there's a sea nearby, dear @mipiano!
Aw, your version is definitely the most optimistic one 😍
Ali canta for his loved one!!! You should have been the storyteller here! Well done, @bluemoon and thank you 🙌
Yes, the sea is nearby, parallel to the promenade!
Here it can be seen a bit, that's the harbour already
Yes, I saw it, thank you!
Hola Amigi!
Comesta?
Muchos Gracias por Wednesday Walk!
what a gorgeous walk and a great history lesson too!
I really want to go dress shopping in Encanto, but I'll have to lose 200 stone first by the looks of those tiny sizes!
My friend Jo who lives in Torrevieja has actually been living in my spare room for the last 6 months and is going back to Spain next month, so hopefully I'll be able to get Indy Jaan a passport so she can become a Spanish Ringneck Parrot instead of an Australia Indian Ringneck and then we can check out Spain and the rest of Europe and come and meet you and all of the other European Hive family too!
Oh, how sweet!🐦
Torrevieja, not that far away from us, so yes - when you and Indy Jaan are here in Spain, let me know 😇
A Hive meetup is always fun! 😃
Yes it is a dream of mine, not omly to get to Spain and Europe in general (due to a lot of your posts here...especially that one of Portugal when you were in that amazing restaurant/bar with the white organ up high in the wall..), but to be able to finally meet a real life hiver IRL too!
And absolutely definitely you too!
I'm thinking next year when my rental lease is up here in Melbourne....
Estabas muy cerca de la calle de las setas 😁
Sí, y la visité también :D
setas del viernes pasado 😉
Mola 😎✌🏼
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This city is really beautiful and this is a kind of place that someone will always want to visit again and again. Alicante is so lovely
I love it!
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too bad you missed the mushroom street. it is great fun. lots to see and do in Alicante so hurry back
Oh, I didn't miss the mushroom street:
...but I didn't post any photos here as already posted in the link I left in my first paragraph.
Completely unaware, blindfolded, and without reading the continuation of the story I chose this option, it would not be a penetrating story without a tragic ending, although it sounds crude haha
A legend almost always has to finish with a tragedy, right? 😣
Luckily, little owls are not living just in fairy tales and legends 😉
I see one here, that commented on my post so they are real 😇
Ah, legend of name of famous places always ended up tragic ,😬
Yeah, somehow they always finish in a dramatic way
Good morning dear friend @mipiano
What a charming city, there is much to see and enjoy, the history of the place is epic and beautiful to hear.
As an architecture lover I cannot fail to mention the styles and constructions of the city or the large pedestrian streets covered in ceramics.
Thank you very much for sharing the story of your visit experience.
have a wonderful day
Alicante has its charming places, one of them is this promenade, but there is also a castle that we visited a few years ago but should do it again in the near future 😉
Best regards. Thank you for showing us some streets and places in Alicante, your walk is amazing especially for those of us who live in small cities with one-story buildings like Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Can you tell us something about the nougat from Alicante, does it come from there?
Hello @juliom
I am glad to share and if the others like what they see, then it is even a greater happiness. Nougat - you mean el turrón. El turrón más famoso viene de Jijona, que está cerca de Alicante. Se mezclan almedras molidas con miel. Una vez visité una feria de turrones, antes de Navidad porque se toma en esa época.
It is true that Christmas nougat is delicious. Here in Cuba it is eaten on any date when it appears. The homemade ones are good but the Alicante and Jijona nougat are famous.
Each time you share photos of pretty places makes me want to visit your place someday 😊 The streets and architecture are truly captivating.
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Thanks @jane1289 😇
I am glad if the places are presented in taht way that someone wishes to visit them. Maybe I should work as a tourist guide (hahaha, just a joke ;) )
How beautiful is the city of Alicante, that promenade, those wavy sidewalks have beautiful colors and transmit joy. The history of the name is interesting. And what does the fortune teller say? Did he read you the good fortune? Thanks for sharing, thanks for taking us for a walk in Alicante.
Yes, it absolutely transmit joy, those wavy pavement. I didn't ask anything form the fortune teller, he lost his mind, well - the part of his head, so who knows what he would say 😂
Quiero comprar un vestido de novia en El Encanto para celebrar mis 15 años de bodas. Jjj
Ya sabes donde está la tienda - Primero Almería y luego Alicante ;)
What a beautiful city with so many nice places to see.
The story about the origin of the city sounds like the story of Romeo of Juliet, only this time their names were coined together and given to the city lol.
Imagine if the inhabitants of Verona did the same... It would be Juliro maybe 😂
😂😂 now that's very funny
Beautiful city. Looks like a cross between Barcelona and Monte Carlo to me :) Thanks for showing us around!
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Thank you very much @phortun and @tipu 😇
Hehehe that would be a cool mix, Barcelona and Monte Carlo.
There is a castle on the top of the hill from the first photo, we visited it years ago but no photos haha. 😅 It has to be corrected one day :D (and it is just 40 minutes of drive from the place we live... we really don't have an excuse lol)
What a beautiful city it transmits a charming energy, I long to visit it😍
Nothing is impossible, maybe you indeed come one day and visit it ;)
Some musicians from your country visited recently Spain and who we even met 🎶
Wonderful yes, I hope very soon to be able to visit each of those places.
thank you very much for the invitation ☺️
I've visited Alicante and I love the pavement of Paseo de la Explanada. I had my photos taken here.
Yes, it is a place where one must take photos :D
So emblematic 😇
Haha truth.
Alicante... It is a beautiful city, some of my relatives lived there a couple of years ago. I love the architecture and aesthetics, I would like to visit it one day. Beautiful photos @mipiano 😍 Have a great day 🤗
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Dimas, you have many relatives here in Spain - now you have to visit Spain and when yes - you let me know! A mini Hime meetup can happen 🤓
Thank you for your words and support 🤗
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What a beautiful city, I like its squares, the coasts and the boats, and that perfect place to walk
I love your photographs @mipiano
Thank you @miprimerconcurso 😉
Very nice. :)
Istina :D
Otra hermosa ciudad española!! El Paseo de la Explanada es impresionante, cuánta belleza!! Definitivamente visitar España tiene que ser un objetivo a alcanzar. Mientras tanto, seguimos conociendo a través de tus paseos. Gracias 🤗
Sí, intentaré visitar lugares bonitos y publicarlos, jajaja, ¡así ese objetivo de visitar España será aún más fuerte y se cumplirá! Avísame con tiempo, para ir preparando las rocas 😁
Jajaja, así será...para ese entonces serás toda una experta en la decoración de rocas de la bondad 🤣.
How beautiful Alicante is! I didn't know the story but before I finished reading I chose the third option. Beautiful walk to get to the mushroom street, which by the way are very nice.
What I loved was the promenade... it's a dream!😍
Alicante has a nice charm, like Malaga ;)
The third option - the most tragic one but that is how legends many times are...
Now I am curious about the origin of the name of the city where you live 😁
You could count it in a walk.... would not be bad at all! Always giving me ideas! Thanks!❤️
such a beautiful place
as for the options most legends end with some form of tragedy so I will go for option 3
Thanks for joining the Wednesday walk
Have a great day
Theis legend indeed ends with the third option. It seems that this way the legends stay more memorable and are passed on from generation to generation.
Alicante... I would ask the fortune teller if one day I will come to visit her (la ciudad de Alicante, en una personificación, pero debí usar "it"). But he (no me queda claro en tu post si es masculino o femenino) doesn't have a messaging app. 😜
And as for the princess, she'd better not marry the depressive who threw himself off a cliff.🤣
(voy a editar antes de acostarme a dormir 😅)
That depressed prince who threw himself off a cliff... I don't think it would have done that princess any good.
¿Cómo quedó mejor? Ay maestra qué trabajo estoy pasando con el inglés. No avanzo.
Yo no soy maestra de inglés :P
Pero creo que quedan bien las dos pero la segunda es como pasó de verdad (la verdad de leyenda jajaj), la princesa acabó igual por ver que su amado ha hecho lo mismo, enctonces the truth is that it haven't done that princess any good, you are right. About the first sentence, it was so funny hahaha
😂
🙄 Lo sé 😅 mi🎹... Grrrrrr.
lo sé que lo sabes - pero intenté decir que una es como verdadera y la otra divertida ;)
😊🌻☕🤗
creo que es masculino porque la escultura se llama El Adivinador, aunque la descripción dice que es una figura humana abstracta, entonces da igual - la escultura abstracta de este post puede ser y masculina y femenina 😉
😅 ay qué lío. Pero es que en inglés muchas cosas no tienen sexo. Y cuando lo tienen es masculino. The pianist, por ejemplo, si no decimos que es she, piensan que es he. Y luego te dicen: ¡ah pero es la pianista! No me hagas caso que estoy hablando boberías. Voy a tomar café.
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Alicante in your photos is a very nice and clean city. Sweet as nougat. I really liked that store with white clothes. Beautiful walk and if you felt the desire to return is because you enjoyed it. Greetings @mipiano.❤️❤️❤️🥰
In some two weeks, I have some things to do there, so if there is time for a walk I will do it and hopefully climb to the castle as well. Thank you @mamani 😇
Hey love, @mipiano, tell me if I'm wrong but Alicante is part of the Catalonian language, isn't it? I'm aware is located at Valencian Community but not quite sure about that... By the way, magnificent pics! Truly relaxing ones!