R. Doug Wicker — Author

High atop Mount Benacantil, some 545 feet/166 meters above sea level, is a massive fortress that began in the 9th century to protect this strategic port city. But Castell de Santa Bàrbara was not always its name, for it started as a Moorish stronghold. Christian forces only gained control of the castle in 1248, at which time Alfonso X of Castile (Alfonso the Wise) gave the fortress its current name.

As one would expect from such a high vantage point, the views of Alicante are very nice:

And did I mention that this fortification is massive? Take a look:

Inside the walls are the ruins of an old church. All that remain are a statue of, I believe, Saint Barbara and a couple over very impressive spindly arches that left me wondering how they’ve remained intact all these centuries:

Now here’s an intersting castle find. It’s a century-old tree-shaped prickly pear cactus without the pricklies:

A closeup reveals this “tree’s” true nature:

I’ve not yet decided on next week’s topics. It’ll either be three articles on some unique and very old collector guns with a lot of history behind them, or I shall begin a new travel series of our recent trip to Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. If you’ve a preference, leave me a comment. Otherwise, I shall have to choose for you. Until then let me leave you with these final two Santa Barbara images along with more for this week’s Fun Photo Friday favorites from the Valencia region. Enjoy:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)