Águilas

There's loads to see and do in the coastal Murcian town of Águilas: a place with thousands of facets and seemingly endless activitiesas shown by this article provided by the local tourist centre.

San Juan de Las Águilas Castle

Ruins dating back to the eighteenth century. From the top (eighty-five metres high) there is a marvellous view of the town and its surroundings. At present it is being restored but it is open and easy to reach. Walk up from Calle Murillo opposite the Robles Vives square, at the south end of the town.

Torre de las Palomas

The Pigeon-cote of the eighteenth century Casa Grande. The interior is in ruins, but the exterior is quite well-preserved. It is not easy to access, as it stands in the middle of a private property, surrounded by fields. 2 kms from the centre on the Lorca- Águilas road.

The Railway Monument

Standing in the Isaac Peral square, it consists of an old steam locomotive, one of the first to be seen in Águilas, built in 1889 in Glasgow and brought by ship in pieces to Águilas. It came into use on 1st April 1890 and worked until 15th November 1967. It stands as homage to the railways, which were so vital to the economic development of the town.

"Fraile" Island

A small island with a long and interesting history. Inhabited in Roman times, it holds remains from that era and ruins from the beginning of the twentieth century. Amphorae and plates from the fourth century and pottery of the “Sigillata Gris” variety have been found. The “garum” fish sauce which was much appreciated in ancient times was prepared here. It is two miles from the town, in the El Hornillo bay.

El Hornillo Landing-stage

An old mineral loading facility, built by the British Ferrocarriles del Sureste company at the end of the nineteenth century and opened in 1903. It incorporated a system for loading and unloading minerals (mainly iron-ore), revolutionary for its time it is similar to those which can be found in Huelva and Bilbao. At present it is no longer in use. It is, however, easy to get to being situated in the El Hornillo bay, 2 kms from the centre. It has recently been made an Historic Site.

Rincón del Hornillo

A lovely spot with its characteristic flight of wide mosaic-covered stairs, opposite the Hornillo beach. Its creator was Juan Martínez Casuco, and work begun in 1985. Juan Casuco has been working on both the design and the actual building ever since, laying the myriad pieces of tile and creating the wrought iron work, all of which overlook the Mediterranean. When visiting, note the shields of the towns of Águilas and Lorca, the silhouettes of the Castle, the Mill, the “Turkey-hen of the Pond”, etc.. The wrought iron work on the main railings and the weather vein showing the profile of the artist himself are curious too.

The Aguilica Peak and Look-out Point

Nature was generous enough to make a present to Águilas of this magnificent stone sculpture. It rises proudly above the Levante bay. Fashioned by the erosion of the seas and the winds, it looks like an eagle’s beak jutting out over the sea. From the Look-out point there is a breath-taking view over the town.

The Parish Church of San José. (19th century)

Of a sombre neo-classical style, combining shades of grey and white inside, it has three naves, crossing and deep apse typical of the basilica style. Around 1853, the approximate date of its building, there were thriving lead-foundries located in Águilas and in which silver was extracted. The generous employees contributed with their work to the building. The main foundry had a statue of San José, hence the name of the church.

The church also holds a wood-carving by Roque Lopez, a pupil of Salzillo, of Our Lady of Dolores, the Patron saint of the town.

The Tébar and Chuecos Fortresses

These were used as watch-towers and defensive installations. They are completely in ruins at present and are situated on high peaks in a rocky area.

Peñón del Roncador

This is an impressive block of stone, standing firm in the sea, at one end of the Poniente bay at the foot of the castle of San Juan. It hurtled down from the heights as a result of explosives set off to obtain stone for the building of the port of Águilas. Its name refers to the noise of the waves as they lap through the spaces underlying the rock and which sounds like snoring.

The Plaza de España Gardens

A pretty garden with many trees and flowers of all descriptions, among them ficus trees from Brazil which are several hundred years old. Set out in 1874, it has a fountain in the centre with a sculpture which is commonly known as the “Turkey-hen of the Pond”.

Eight of the main streets of the town run into this square. Around it can be seen handsome house fronts typical of the prosperous late eighteen-hundreds. On the west side is the Town Hall, with its imitation Moorish style façade.

The Punta Negra Lighthouse

Situated on the slopes of the castle hill, near the port, it is 30.9 metres above sea-level, with a range of 15 miles and an electric lighting system. It was built in place of the old “Faro Blanco” light, dating from 1859, and which was lit for the first time on 30th August, 1860.

The Sagrera and Los Alacranes Mills

Situated on hills with a good view of the centre of the town, these old flour mills are no longer in use. They can be reached by climbing narrow, winding lanes. Their wide canvas sails, slowly turning at the whim of the gentle sea-breezes, are a typical part of the Águilas scene.

The Cope Tower

Recently restored over the sixteenth century ruins, this watch-tower and defensive site has been destroyed and restored many times throughout its history. It is a silent witness to battles fought at sea, and it was under constant attack from the Moorish pirates. It stands in the Cope bay, nine kilometres from the town, and can be reached by a well-signed minor road.

The Casino

This building dates back to 1895. Standing near the sea, it is three stories high, with a stately façade, a wide entrance hall giving onto public rooms where there is a series of ten allegorical pictures done in 1905 by the Murcia painter José Sanchez, a pupil of the Cartagena painter Wssel de Guimbarda. The pictures can be seen on the ceiling and walls of the doorway to the vestibule. The paintings which formally adorned the walls of the ballroom no longer exist.

The "Francisco Rabal" Cultural Centre

Inaugurated in 1991, it stands in the Plaza Asunción Balaguer. It has an exhibition hall named after Manuel Coronado, a permanent exhibition named after José Matrán, a large hall, multi-purpose rooms and the Town Library.

It displays the prizes, trophies and other articles awarded to the local actor Francisco Rabal, after whom it is named, and also others awarded to his daughter Teresa Rabal, also an actress. Many travelling exhibitions of paintings, photographs and handicrafts are also held throughout the year.

The Harbour and Fish Docks

Work ended in 1884 and from that moment the commercial upsurge of Águilas began. Minerals from the Sierra Almagrera were loaded, lead ore from the Sierra Almenara, Sparta grass and minerals brought down from the provinces of Granada, Murcia, Albacete, Almería and Jaén. Merchandize landed included coal from England, cement from Catalonia, Scotland and the North of Africa. Between 1912 and 1925, many boats would dock, it not being unusual to see seven or eight ships at the quays at the same time. The port was closed in 2001.

Situated at 37º 27´7´´ longitude west of the Greenwich meridian, the fishing port has the largest fleet in the Region of Murcia. A great attraction is the fish auction which is held in the Lonja building, by the port, on week-days. At present, extensive work is being carried out on the port, which will change its face completely, facilitating visits by the public.

The "La Loma" Chimney Located about 2 kilometres south of the town, on a hill, the chimney is 60 metres high, and its slender shape rises up above the landscape. It stands as a witness to the mining past of Águilas, and is all that remains of the silver and lead foundries which used to be here. It was erected in 1843 and is a well known landmark for local inhabitants.

Text provided by the Tourist Office of Águilas: http://www.aguilas.es/