The Generalitat Valenciana is set to contribute 300,000€ towards the improvement and rehabilitation works at Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante. The Regional Department of Culture has granted the funds to the local council to help cover the costs of ongoing projects at the landmark, including a new pedestrian path and the adaptation of various interior spaces within the bastion.
A collaboration agreement between the regional department, headed by Carmen Orti, and the local government of Luis Barcala was approved on Tuesday by the Local Government Board. The official document highlights that it is the responsibility of the Generalitat to ensure the protection, preservation and enhancement of Valencian cultural heritage. Consequently, a direct grant within the Restaura Plan has been provided to support the restoration efforts undertaken by the council after a serious risk of falling rocks was identified in September 2025.
The agreement specifies a total amount of 300,000€ to assist emergency works launched due to an extreme risk of loose rock falling along the western wall area of Mount Benacantil. The text emphasises the public interest of the project and its core aim of recovering cultural heritage. The planned investments cover essential security tasks, clearing and stabilizing the rock face through anchoring systems, installing protective mesh and barriers, and repairing the structural walls.
To receive the allocated funding, Alicante Council must execute and justify the subsidized works during this month of November, as well as submit to verification procedures. Any failure to comply with the terms will trigger a procedure to reclaim the funds.
Beyond this specific grant, the council has launched several contracts over the past two years to preserve Santa Barbara Castle. Regarding the unstable rock face, local authorities announced last week a further investment of 5.56 million euro for a comprehensive intervention to secure and contain loose material.
Additionally, in October, the executive announced a 143,000€ investment to restore walls, sections of three towers and the Albacar d’Enmig bridge, with a five-month execution period. The tender includes work on the main curtain wall, lower sections of the Santa Caterina Tower, Coloma Tower and the Postern gate, as well as its internal staircase and the bridge spanning the moat, covering an area of around 600 square metres.
Earlier, the council signed an agreement with the Hortensia Herrero Foundation to rehabilitate the western wall, dating from between the 11th and 13th centuries and spanning 470 metres. That 2.4 million euro project will also include dedicated museum displays. In 2025, work was also launched on the Santa Ana Bastion to convert a parking space into a pedestrian area, involving a five-month timeframe and a budget of 335,328€ to renew paving, step paths, parapets and battlements.