Alicante marks 529 years since it became a city

ALICANTE CITY is celebrating 529 years since it was first granted its royal charter.
City officials including Mayor Luis Barcala have spoken about the historical significance of Alicante becoming a city.
An exhibition featuring documents and images covering the city’s history is also being held in Alicante’s Municipal Archive.
The capital of the province of the same name first gained city status in 1490. King Ferdinand II of Aragon’s Decree of Cordoba granted the then Villa de Alicante city privileges and status.
Barcala said Alicante’s economic importance as a key Mediterranean port with extensive farming and a craft industry led it to be recognised as a city.
City council officials have also travelled to Cordoba to mark the anniversary.