Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Parking Lot Shoeprints
Dewey Square Pylon & Bent 38
Black Rocks of Pungo Andongo
Abandoned Observatory of the Pioneer Palace
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Two suitcases in an empty airport hall.
AO Mailbag: Is It Normal to Share a Checked Bag With Your Boyfriend?
about 15 hours ago
Kolaches
How Texas Became an Unlikely Epicenter for Czech Pastries
1 day ago
What I Found Driving Across Northern Michigan
1 day ago
What I Found Driving Down Highway 61
1 day ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Spain Alicante The Head of the Moor

The Head of the Moor

Legends surround this natural rock formation that looks like a Moorish king wearing a crown.

Alicante, Spain

Added By
Alan Newman
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Brett Hodnett
  Brett Hodnett
  Martorell
The Head of the Moor   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Head of the Moor   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
View from Postiguet beach   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The castle of Santa Barbara is a historic building in Alicante, Spain. Just below its southern ramparts is a rock formation that has become known as the "Head of the Moor."

The castle turret, at the highest point of the castle, forms the Moor's crown whilst the nose, chin and eyebrows can clearly be seen if you view Mount Benacantil, upon which the castle stands, from the right position.

The best place to view the Head of the Moor is from the road on the landward side of the Basilica of Santa Maria, the oldest church in Alicante. The viewing point is in the gap left by the demolition of a building, leaving the other two buildings to frame the view nicely. 

Various legends have built up around this curious rock formation, but the one most often repeated features young lovers and their heartbreak. The story recounts a beautiful young princess called Cantara falling in love with a relatively poor man called Ali. Her father, a Moorish king, disapproved and would not let his daughter marry for love.

The heartbroken princess could not bear to live apart from the man she loved and threw herself off the castle on to the rocks of  Mount Benacantil, falling to her death. Upon hearing the news, Ali also jumped to his death so he could be with his beloved in the next life. His daughter’s suicide broke the King’s heart and he is said to have spent the rest of his life in misery and despair. It is believed that it is his profile that is seen in the rock formation. 

Know Before You Go

Santa Barbara Castle is worth a visit in its own right and whilst one can walk up to the castle, most people take the elevator which is approached by a long foot tunnel.

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

Luis Morato, Xavixavir

  • Luis Morato
  • Xavixavir

Published

April 16, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.spain-holiday.com/Alicante-province/articles/moorish-legends-in-alicante
The Head of the Moor
9 Calle Villavieja
Alicante
Spain
38.346347, -0.479403
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Alicante Zero Level

Alicante, Spain

miles away

Hogueras de Alicante (Bonfires of Alicante)

Alicante, Spain

miles away

Archibald Dickson Memorial

Alicante, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Alicante

Alicante

Spain

Places 11

Nearby Places

Alicante Zero Level

Alicante, Spain

miles away

Hogueras de Alicante (Bonfires of Alicante)

Alicante, Spain

miles away

Archibald Dickson Memorial

Alicante, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Alicante

Alicante

Spain

Places 11
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.