History of the Pirate invasions of the Alicante coastline
The coast of Alicante, Spain, has been the target of pirate invasions throughout history. During the Middle Ages, Barbary pirates were a constant threat to ships sailing in the Mediterranean, and the coasts of Alicante were no exception. These pirates came from the Maghreb coasts (currently Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) and attacked commercial ships and coastal towns, plundering and enslaving the inhabitants.
In the 16th century, Turkish corsairs also became a threat to the coast of Alicante. Turkish corsairs, who were pirates sponsored by the Ottoman Empire, attacked Spanish and Portuguese ships in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. During this century, the Spanish Navy fought against the Turkish corsairs, and several fortifications were built on the coast of Alicante to protect the region from attack.
Pirate invasions on the Alicante coastline
In the 18th century, Barbary pirates and Turkish corsairs were no longer a major threat to Alicante’s coasts, but Spanish ships still confronted English and French pirates during the wars between Spain and these powers. During the Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814), the coasts of Alicante were the scene of several clashes between Spanish ships and English and French vessels.
Today, pirate invasions are no longer a threat to the coast of Alicante, but the history of these invasions remains an important part of the region’s maritime history. Many of the fortifications built in the 16th century can still be seen today and are a reminder of the importance of maritime defence in Alicante’s history.
