Alicante is a large and modern Spanish metropolis where almost everything can be found. Its districts are impressive in their number and diversity: from prestigious ones, with a rich infrastructure and comfortable new buildings, to the exact opposite areas – with a criminal population and dilapidated high-rise buildings.

And today we will talk about one of the most lively and densely populated neighborhoods of Alicante – Carolinas, which in turn subdivides into Carolinas Altas and Carolinas Bajas.

Carolinas Altas, Alicante

Carolinas Altas neighborhood of ​​Alicante is bordered in the north by the Sidi Ifni-Nou Alacant and Garbinet quarters; with the Pla del Bon Repós quarter in the east; with the Carolinas Bajas quarter in the south; and with the Altozano and Campoamor quarters in the west.

  • Population: 18,928 inhabitants (14,459 Spaniards and 4,469 foreigners, January 2020);
  • The median property price: 899 €/m2 (idealista.com, November 2021);
  • Annual variation: + 0.5% (idealista.com, November 2021);
  • The cost of an one-bedroom apartment starts from 39,900 €, two-bedroom apartment is from 48,000 €, a penthouse is from 52,000 €, a chalet with two bedrooms costs from 80,000 €.

Carolinas Altas y Carolinas Bajas – los barrios de Alicante

Carolinas Bajas, Alicante

The Carolinas Bajas area of ​​Alicante is bordered in the north by the Carolinas Altas quarter, separated by the Jaime Segarra street; to the east, with the quiet Pla del Bon Repòs; in the south – with the San Antón quarter; and in the west with the Campoamor quarter. Together with the Karolinas Altas area, they are known as the Karolinas.

  • Population: 10,217 inhabitants (7,329 Spaniards and 2,888 foreigners, January 2020);
  • The median property price: 983 €/m2 (idealista.com, November 2021);
  • Change in the value of housing over the year: – 0.9% (idealista.com, November 2021);
  • The cost of an one-bedroom apartment starts from 50,900 €, two-bedroom apartment is from 54,200 €, a penthouse is from 54,000 €, a duplex with two bedrooms costs from 143,000 €.

History of the Neighborhood Carolinas, Alicante

Photo source: abc.es

It happened in the XIX century, when grape plantations in France were almost entirely damaged by the invasion of insect pests. Many wineries have suffered, and their owners were forced to move to other places with more favorable conditions.

It is noteworthy that such an unfortunate event played a key role in the appearance of a large and noisy Carolinas neighborhood.

A significant proportion of the affected French landowners (for example, the Maissonave family) considered Alicante the most suitable option for their purposes among other cities. And soon, Spanish peasants from surrounding areas of Alcoy, Aitana and Marina Alta followed them.

These people moved to Alicante in the hope of improving their working conditions and life quality, because they could not afford the city center, and the new peripheral area seemed quite suitable.

It should be remembered that Alicante was a quite small town in those days. The San Blas area was located on its outskirts and populated mainly by railway workers from the local station. Further, the San Gabriel area was inhabited mainly by fishermen, and the Benalua area was still only a project.

Farmers found a sparsely populated place in the inner part of Alicante and built there several small houses around the Garbinet Street. They were modest, one-story buildings with wooden roofs, and sometimes its own courtyards. The houses were built without any urban plan or permit, it was a typical improvisation of that time.

The new neighborhood was named after the Caroline Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean. These islands were in the spotlight then, as Spain and Germany were plunged into a diplomatic conflict over sovereignty and trade with this archipelago.

From the peaks of Mount Benacantil near Alicante, the new houses looked like a scattering of separated islands without any order and concept, but the new neighborhood got a sonorous and up-to-date name – Carolinas.

Building Boom in the Carolinas area, Alicante

Carolinas Bajas, Alicante
Over the years, residential buildings in Carolinas have only multiplied. Workers of a nearby tobacco factory also began readily settling in this area that led to a subsequent large tobacco shop and the sale of cigarette cases in Carolinas.

Despite all this, in the 60s it continued to be a quite rural area, until the onset of a real urban boom that swept across the Costa Blanca, contributing to the appearance of the first modern buildings with apartments.

The new housing was settled mainly by families who had migrated to Alicante. Tourism was also actively gaining momentum, as migrants got access to new jobs related to the hotel business, construction, purchase and sale, renting out, etc.

When the old tram lines in the neighborhood were expanded and new bus routes were added as well as the wide Gran Vía avenue was built that alleviated the strain put on the overburdened road infrastructure, the Carolinas’ connection with the rest of Alicante and the highway to Madrid was improved significantly.

The urban development of the Carolinas neighborhood in Alicante meant also the opening of many shops. The main outlets were grouped in the streets of Carrer de Gongora, Maestro Alonso, Pinoso or Jaime Segarra and San Mateo. By the way, it is the street of San Mateo that is called the «commercial heart» of this area. Walking along it, one can find many clothing stores, bars, supermarkets, fruit shops, banks, jewelry stores, dry cleaners, etc.

So today the neighborhood of ​​Alicante – Carolinas is a well-developed and modern district with a wide range of services and offers. Local residents note that the spirit of the «big village» has been preserved in these places and good acquaintances still mean a lot. Sometimes, if something from the local market is needed, it is enough just to call your friend, and he will be happy to bring it right your home.

Market in the Carolinas Neighborhood, Alicante

Mercado en el barrio de las Carolinas, Alicante
If we are talking about the local market in Carolinas, it should be noted that not so long ago, in 2018, it celebrated its 60th anniversary. The related building on San Mateo Street was also opened on October 1, 1958.

Since the Civil War, there has been an informal «flea market» in the Carolinas neighborhood, which was found between the streets of Jaime Segarra and Maestro Alonso. By the 50s, it had grown so much that there was a need to erect a large building where it would be possible to arrange buying and selling.

Many sellers from the time of the old flea market hurried to buy their own stalls on the renovated territory. And even some merchants from the Central Market of Alicante wanted to move here.

For example, at the entrance to the market from the side of San Mateo Street, there is a butcher shop – a family business of the name Gozalbes. The parents of today’s owners moved their business here from the Central Market in 1960 due to open a new pavilion here. The business was going well, gradually adapting to modern sales methods. So, buyers can get the information they need about the availability of products and prices via WhatsApp or Facebook.

In addition to meat, you can buy all kinds of local delicacies at this market, such as fresh and dried fish, nuts, pickles, a variety of sausages, seasonal vegetables and fruits and freshly baked bread.

Some kiosks specialize in specific products (beef, lamb, olives, eggs, etc.), while others offer a more general assortment. The market also has its own cafeteria, where it is nice to have a cup of flavored coffee or get a refreshing drink to relax from shopping events.
In total, the Carolina market has about 30 kiosks where you can buy products and goods of excellent quality.

Flea Market in the Carolinas Neighborhood, Alicante

Carolinas Altas y Carolinas Bajas – los barrios de Alicante

On Thursdays and Saturdays, a local swap meet or a small flea market is set up in the vicinity of the market building, retaining the appearance of a historically original flea market dating back to the war years.

It is currently limited to only two streets: Dr. Nieto and Manuel Segante. Despite its small size, it offers everything that should be in a real flea market: shops with vegetables, fruits, nuts, delicacies, flowers, shoes, household utensils, clothes, etc. All this is complemented by the numerous fixed price shops, which also located on these streets, as well as hardware stores, various bars and more.

Other Infrastructure of the Carolinas Neighborhood, Alicante

Carolinas is a district of Alicante with a distinct identity, which has been an integral part of the city for decades. The concentration of shops here is the second largest in the whole city − Carolinas is exceeded only by the Avenida Maisonnave area.

Being a place of settlement of wine farmers from the interior of the province, the modern territory of Carolinas has grown so much that now, according to the census, it has about 29,000 inhabitants – we are talking about both areas of «Carolinas» – Altas and Bajas, separated by the street of Jaime Segarra.

Despite all the crowds, quiet and pleasant places to relax can always be found here, for example, such as the Plaza del Sol – the square is also known as the «Golden Ball», thanks to the corresponding sculpture placed there. This is a favorite meeting place for neighbors, where many festive events are also held, including the famous San Juan holidays and Easter processions.

It is worth mentioning the municipal sports center, located at the intersection of Pascual de la Mata and Garbinet streets, where a tomato packaging company was located forty years ago, and where many women of this quarter worked.

Carolinas Altas y Carolinas Bajas – los barrios de Alicante

The area has its drawbacks. For example, there is a «historical» problem with parking, from which not only residents of Carolinas, but also its guests suffer. Also, despite the municipal status of the market, the city council has practically not allocated funds for its development in recent years, which is very upsetting for local workers. According to them, they can surpass large traders in product quality, but it is difficult to compete with them in the improvement and modernization of retail space without municipal support.

Locals of the neighborhood Carolinas insist on such improvements in the market area as the construction of parking, the installation of ramps for the disabled and fire alarms, increased security and major repairs of the building itself, which has a 60-year history behind it.

Other Problematic Issues of the Neighborhood include

  • Expansion of the medical center in Carolina Altas, as residents of the street Garbinet currently have to go to San Juan Hospital or Alicante Hospital, depending on the side of the street on which they live;
  • Opening a retirement home, as there are quite a few of such persons in the area, who need special care and activities appropriate for their age.

Cultural Traditions in the Carolinas Neighborhood, Alicante

Carolinas Altas y Carolinas Bajas – los barrios de Alicante
Fuente de la foto: planetfallas.com

The Carolinas is an area of ​​Alicante with a predominantly Valencian population, as people from such traditional areas as Marina Alta, Marina Baja and La Hoya de Alcoy live there. However, the Spanish language or Castellano is used more often today, as in the rest of Alicante.

Local festivals and fiestas are celebrated here brightly and with lots of fun. At the end of June, in this quarter of Alicante, the Bonfires of San Juan are burning, which have been declared an international tourist resource. Moreover, the very first bonfires in honor of the saint were arranged here from 1929, before the Carolinas got an official name: the streets were everywhere decorated with figures of ninots, and locals tasted paella, tuna pies and fresh figs, watching with excitement the bullfights and fireworks show.

No less beloved and colorful celebration in the Carolinas area are the Cavalcade of Three Kings (January), the Carnival parade (late February-early March, in honor of the end of winter), Easter week (April), the theatrical performance of the Moors and Christians (June) and many others. Therefore, at any time of the year in Carolinas, you can count on the swirl of activity in the rhythm of the fiesta.

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