Historical date: 535 years since Alicante was granted city status
Alicante, 25 July 2025. On 26 July, the city of Alicante celebrates 535 years since it was officially granted city status by King Ferdinand the Catholic in 1490. To mark this important date, the Municipal Archives of Alicante have prepared three special exhibitions dedicated to royal decrees, the significance of the reign of Alfonso X the Wise and traditional local festivities.
🏛 Exhibitions: from the Middle Ages to the 20th century
📂 "From Village to City. Royal Charters of the City of Alicante"
The main exhibition includes a facsimile of the historic decree signed by Ferdinand the Catholic, which granted Alicante city status. The exhibition also includes other royal documents , including the charters of Alfonso X the Wise and the monarchs of the Crown of Aragon.
🪟 "The Historical Significance of the Reign of Alfonso X the Wise in Alicante"
The external windows of the Archive contain materials that tell the story of the life and influence of King Alfonso X in Alicante. The exhibition includes manuscripts, printed publications and archival documents related to this period.
🎉 "Celebrating Traditional Festivals of Alicante"
Inside the Archives you can see photographs from 1935 to 1945 documenting the festivities in the areas of Corpus Christi, Raval Roig, San Anton, Tabarca, San Roque and San Gabriel. Librettos (books of festivities) and elements of folklore are also on display: dances, "giants and dwarfs" ( nanos i gegants ).
🎙 Comments from city representatives
Naima Beljilali , cultural adviser, noted:
"This historic document, signed by Ferdinand the Catholic, is of great importance to our identity. We also wanted to highlight the importance of our celebrations, many of which were held before the city was granted its status."
🤝 Supporting traditions
The archive was also visited by representatives of the Federation of Traditional Celebrations , including its president Vicente Giner , as well as representatives of children's and adult communities of local celebrations. The Archive staff and the cultural adviser gave the guests a tour of the exhibits and told them about the history of each exhibit.
🏛 The Importance of the Archive for the Historical Memory of the City
Alicante prides itself on carefully preserving key documents of its history. The Municipal Archives not only protect cultural heritage, but also make it accessible to all citizens , helping to preserve historical continuity .
The 535th anniversary of the city's status is not only a reason to celebrate, but also an opportunity to remember Alicante's rich past , its royal roots and centuries-old traditions. The city continues to honor its history and share it with future generations.