Castell de Sant Ferran, Military fort on Monte Tossal, Alicante, Spain
Castillo de San Fernando is a hilltop fortress on Monte Tossal with two bastions connected by broken walls that adapt to the sloping terrain. The geometric and rounded structures show the careful military planning of this installation.
The fortress was built between 1808 and 1812 during the Peninsular War to protect the city against French attacks. Engineer Pablo Ordovás designed the installation using modern military principles of that time.
The castle reflects Alicante's military role in the early 1800s and shows how soldiers lived and worked in this hilltop fort. The thick walls and storage areas tell of its importance to the city during that period.
The fortress sits at the summit of Monte Tossal and can be reached via a zigzag path from downtown Alicante. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the climb is steep and walkways can be uneven.
The fortress contains underground vaults built to withstand artillery fire. Hidden beneath the earthen ramparts is a water cistern system that supplied drinking water to the garrison.
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