Placa de los Luceros (aka Placa dels Estels or Placa dels Cavalls) is among the most emblematic and grandiose plazas of Alicante. Admire its greenery and monumental fountain and immerse yourself in historic annual festivities. Placa de los Luceros is a traffic circle that intersects prominent commercial avenues at the edge of the Centro and Mercat neighborhoods. Laid out in the mid 1800s, it changed name twice before adopting its present title in the 1940s.
The Fuente de Levante fountain, by Alicante-born architect Daniel Bañuls, dominates the plaza. Four horse sculptures accompanied by statues of elf-like figures stand at the base. Rising up in the center is a tall column adorned with female figures that symbolize the characters of Venus, Jupiter, Minerva and Saturn. Crowning the fountain is a representation of the tree of the Hesperides nymphs from Greek mythology.
Gardens decorated with manicured hedges and palm trees surround the fountain. Observe the artwork and note the sense of calm that it creates as busy traffic moves around the traffic circle. Across the road from the fountain are cafés and tavernas with shaded outdoor seating areas.
To the south of the plaza a pedestrian pathway cuts through the middle of a wide avenue. You can follow it all the way to Parque Canalejas. Find children’s playgrounds and enjoy people-watching while sitting on a bench. The Feria del Libro book fair takes place here in late-April.
Visit the plaza in June for the boisterous mascletá (pyrotechnic) shows during the Hogueras de San Juan festival. This midsummer celebration features fireworks, firecrackers and street parades. In January the Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos honors the arrival of the biblical Magi that visited Jesus. Expect floats, costumed characters, live music and dance shows.
Getting to Placa de los Luceros is easy by taking a tram to the Alicante-Luceros station. From the Port of Alicante it is about a 15-minute walk to the square. The Central Market and Teatro Principal de Alicante are some nearby attractions.
