Alicante Port History

Costa Blanca Details

 

In the 18th century Barilla (plant formerly used to produce soda) and soda were 80% of the main export port, well ahead of exports of nuts. The main imports were wheat and salt.

In 1778 the Port of Alicante was allowed to trade directly with America. At this time the port of Alicante was the most important in Valencia.

In 1810 it was discovered that artificial soda was causing a serious commercial crisis in the city. But in the second half of the 19th century, there was a great revival of trade ports.

Thanks to the Madrid-Alicante railway line (which entered service in 1858), Alicante, Spain, became the first railway connecting the capital of Spain with the sea. A treaty with France for the export of wine led to a rapid outflow of large quantities of wine-producing land in the interior, such as La Mancha and the valley of Vinalopo, thus contributing to an expansion of vineyards in these regions.

Exports experienced a dramatic increase after 1854 until the last decade of the 19th century, when Spanish wines began to be replaced by those of the French colonies of North Africa.

During the Civil War the Port of Alicante became the last refuge of the Republic. Fifteen thousand people who tried to flee in merchant ships chartered by the Republican government gathered there.

The rebel fleet of General Franco was able to prevent the approach of most vessels, leaving the refugees at the mercy of the troops of General Gastone italinas Gamba, who occupied the city and handed over Franco’s troops, who arrived from Castellon. The last boat from Stanbrook was that of refugees. The Port of Alicante contemplated the end of the Civil War and the Second Republic.

The declaration of the city of Alicante as the Public Port of the Mediterranean dates back to 1271, according to the privilege granted by Alfonso X the Wise.

The port and engineering work, a stone breakwater into the sea, did not begin construction until 1476, during the reign of Juan II. Historically, the port has had a decisive role in trade within the city of Alicante.

Throughout the Middle and Modern Ages, exports consisted of products of the region close to the port, especially raisins, dried fruits, esparto, salt, and wine.