Parque de la Ereta

To the park of La Ereta you have to go without haste, wanting to fill the eyes of Alicante and cultivate the senses. Located on the slopes of Mount Benacantil, from it we contemplate some of the most spectacular views of Alicante. Only surpassed by the views that, a few meters above, dominate from the Castle of Santa Barbara. It is a modern park whose construction has taken into account environmental aspects and symbiosis of the built with the environment, has native vegetation and a pleasant organic urban furniture. We recommend that you feel and enjoy the sound of the fountains while you contemplate the magnificent views that this park gives you. La Ereta looks towards the genuine Barrio de Santa Cruz. From the park, which occupies almost seven hectares, you can contemplate the Cathedral of San Nicolás, the Port, almost touch the 'Cara del Moro', the famous icon of Alicante, and admire in all its splendor the Mediterranean Sea. Being next to the Old Town has the great attraction of allowing to walk around the wall of the Castle, which is restored, in an impressive walk where we have Alicante and the Mediterranean at the foot. Of recent construction is the House of Santa Claus, the home that the endearing Christmas character has in Alicante. In the months close to Christmas the house opens for the children to make their wishes come to Santa Claus himself, who receives them and sits on his knees to know if they have been good. And at the same time, children can throw their cards in the well of wishes. In 1994 works began to build on this steep terrain a public park that allowed to enjoy the privileged views and also was a center of leisure and culture. Due to the orography, the park is segmented into terraces, adapting to the terrain and decorated with native flora. The park of La Ereta has a large central square, paths that meander along the hillside, shady areas, fountains, a cafeteria, an entertainment area that, as anecdote we tell you, has underground dressing rooms, a panoramic restaurant, and an exhibition hall. Due to the peculiar morphology of La Ereta, its construction was a challenge that managed to become an interesting architectural work. The lower part of the park is in direct contact with the Historical Quarter and therefore the character of the places and the vegetation is more urban. Continuing up to the Castle, the visitor goes through different spaces such as the hillside of the olive trees, the Plaza de la Ereta and the pines, and then the vegetation of local holm oak and the dispersed grasses in the highest part. In the park, retaining walls and ditches have been built for the waters that go down the mountain, with drainages capable of absorbing the torrential rains for such a steep place. The main elements of La Ereta are closely linked to important uses, in this way, the boundary is a path that borders the lower part and ensures the collection of rainwater; the terraces of the hillside of the olive trees stabilize the soil, limit erosion, and act like a huge sponge when it rains intensely. Simultaneously, the land becomes a retaining wall and finally, the buildings form a body with Mount Benacantil and its new structure.