Sight Seeing in and around the Mar Menor
Throughout the area evidence of
its history is still visible, providing a large amount of sight seeing to be
done. Thousands of years ago when walking out of your Spanish villa you would
have been greeted by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians or Romans depending on
the time of day! They would probably give you a smile or a nod, but not
everywhere was so friendly. Pirates were known to invade the area providing a
dangerous environment for those living in the La Manga region and being the
reason why many old watch towers can now be spotted along the coast lines. It
was not until the Mar Menor was high and wide enough to stop ships coming in
that the countryside was once again safe. Whether it is a day of education or an
excuse to catch the rays, the surrounding areas will provide a fun yet
interesting day out for everyone.
Ruins from the past
Near to Cabo de Palo ruins of a settlement can be seen, giving an insight into
the way of life for mankind in the Bronze Age.
Sailormens graveyard
Hidden by the Mar Menor, sunken wrecks may be sighted as they lie in the coastal
waters. (Diving can be arranged to discover more about the sea floors - see
activities).
Pirate watch towers
Although most Catillian nobles worked on surrounding islands, some were shore
dwellers. They worked, fished and protected the land from the Berber pirates by
keeping watch from high towers. Although now inactive many of the towers are
still standing, two of which can be seen on the road leading from Los Alcazane
to El Algar, they are known as Negor and the other, the Torre del Rame.
The Meds highest light house
and its nearby volcanos!
The shape of Cabo de Palos is made up by volcanic hills which form a small
peninsula. Along with this amazing sight, Cabo de Palos itself is a pleasant and
beautiful fishing town, located on the coastline. It is host to the highest
lighthouse in the Mediterranean Sea, standing at 84 metres above sea level. The
lighthouse there nowadays is known as the modern one, which opened in 1865,
although the stones used in its structure are the same as those used in the
original lighthouse. The first lighthouse is thought to have been built in the
late 15th century.
Bird watchers paradise
A huge percentage of the region is an excellent source for bird watchers (see
activities), but the Salinas de Rassall appears a meeting place for many types
of different breeds, including storks, herons and flamingos. It's not just birds
that gather here, the Salinas de Rassall is home to the Moraturtle (a highly
endangered species), and the south-east coast fish, the fartet.
The Don Jose settlement
In 1888 Don Jose Maria Barnuevo de villamar founded the first settlement which
was built around a hermitage dedicated to St James the Apostle. All this took
place in Santiago de la Ribera - a now tourist town.
The gardens of the Academmia
General del Aure...
Situated in the far south of San Javier is the Academmia General del Aure,
surrounded by beautiful gardens this sight provides a glorious walk for
everyone.
...and a nearby auditorium
Not far from the above is the Parque del Mar Reyes de Espana which opened to the
public in 1991. Along with many walkers enjoying a nice stroll, the park also
bears an open air auditorium.
The museum of the sea
For the historical or boat minded people the Museu de la Mar, installed in the
Cofradia de Pescadores in San Pedor del Pinatar, holds a display of around 1,500
items of boating interest. Including maps, ship charts, model boats and fishing
equipment, ranging in date from the 16th century onwards.
Cabo de Palos regional
'salt' park
One of the most amazing and famous sights to be seen are the salt flats of Cabo
de Palos. Imagination plays an important role in your visit to the regional
park, of what used to be a thick forest. Now laden with salt, it is difficult to
ever imagine that these shores were ever a forest with thick oak and ilex.
Alfonso XI described the area in his Libro de Monteria: "This forest is by the
sea and located nearby is an island which juts out in to the sea for a good
league (Goras Island), and the deer are plentiful." The salt flats became a
regional park in 1985 and is one of two areas home to most of the Mar Menor wild
life. Thousands of birds on their travels from Africa to Europe stop off causing
an array of colour from the different breeds. The most popular bird to use the
salt as a 'hotel' is the Flamingo casting a pink colour over the white salts as
they cover the Mar Menor pools.
A 'silver tongued' death
In the town of San Pedor stands the Clock Tower (Casa del Reloj), famous for the
place of the death of Emilio Castelar, the silver tongued orator. The public may
tour around the clock tower and its surrounding gardens.
The mining scars of La Union
The 'wear and tear' of 2,000 years of mining is still visible in La Union, with
rusty head frames and abounded industrial places still sighted while the sun
continues to reflect onto the towns yellow mountains.
Roman discoveries of
Cartagena
Standing by the war monument in Cartagena, where Phoenican, Carthaginian, Roman
and Byzantine ships would have been seen mooring in the bay, Fort Navidad and
Atalyas castle are just two of the vast historical sights which can be seen.
When visiting the town itself you will notice the beautiful architecture that is
the Town Hall, as well as some of the finest houses dotted around the town.
Ancient cobblestone streets and Roman homes have been left untouched in some
streets of Cartagena. For those of you with further interest in the Roman times
of the region the Municipal Byzanite Wall Exhibition Hall and the recently
discovered Roman theatre are a must.
A day out in Murcia
Murcia has a sight or an activity hiding around each corner - the Cathedral,
Palace, Casino, churches and museums, to name a few will help pass time on those
hot sunny days or when awaiting your flight home from the airport!
