Following the road south, we come to Torrevieja, a town famous
for its salt works and for its tradition of “Habaneras”,
Afro-Cubanmusic. The town was only founded in the 18th century,
but the salt works of the area were already being exploited in
Roman times. The La Mata district, north of Torrevieja, goes
back further in time, in fact a small settlement already existed
there in the 13th century. The people of this settlement made
a living by working in the La Mata salt works, the fruits of
their labours being exported via the port. Another importance
of medieval times was the hamlet of Cabo Cervera, which stood
at the foot of the tower known as “Torre del Moro”.
As occurred everywhere along the Costa Blanca, watchtowers were
built along the coastline of the region to protect the inhabitants
against dangers such as pirate raids. Among these are the towers
of La Mata, Cabo Cervera and Torrevieja, which means old tower,
and which gave the town its name. The La Mata and Moro Towers
make an interesting visit, offering as they do a magnificent
view of the coastline.
Also worth seeing are the Medieval bridge
over the River Acequión, the Eras de la Sal, the docks
from where the salt was once loaded onto boats for its transport,
and which have now been converted into a concert-hall, where
the international Habaneras and Polyphonic Festival is held.
Visitors will also be charmed by the Parish Church of the Immaculate
Conception, which was built at the end of the 19th century, and
by the casino (a culture centre, not a gambling house), which
dates from the same time, and has a splendid neo-Nasrite style
hall. Also in the vicinity, the visitor will find the remains
of a Roman jetty.
Another highly recommended excursion is a visit to the saltpans.
The salt lagoon stretches out behind the town, and lays 3 metres
below sea level, with a perimeter of 25 kilometres and a length
of 6 kilometres. The extraction process is interesting to observe.
The salt itself, which lies all around in enormous heaps, is also
a spectacular sight with its clean shining whiteness. At dusk,
the surface of the salterns, with its pools of water is like a
mirror revealing a variety of extraordinary colours that, together
with the immaculate white of the salt mountains, forms an unusual
landscape.
There are several beaches around the bay including those of Los
Locos, El Cura, El Puerto, El Acequión, and Nueva Playa
de Torrevieja, all with fine clean sands.
Following the road south, we come to Torrevieja, a town famous
for its salt works and for its tradition of “Habaneras”,
Afro-Cubanmusic. The town was only founded in the 18th century,
but the salt works of the area were already being exploited in
Roman times. The La Mata district, north of Torrevieja, goes
back further in time, in fact a small settlement already existed
there in the 13th century. The people of this settlement made
a living by working in the La Mata salt works, the fruits of
their labours being exported via the port. Another importance
of medieval times was the hamlet of Cabo Cervera, which stood
at the foot of the tower known as “Torre del Moro”.
As occurred everywhere along the Costa Blanca, watchtowers were
built along the coastline of the region to protect the inhabitants
against dangers such as pirate raids. 
Among these are the towers
of La Mata, Cabo Cervera and Torrevieja, which means old tower,
and which gave the town its name. The La Mata and Moro Towers
make an interesting visit, offering as they do a magnificent
view of the coastline.
Also worth seeing are the Medieval bridge
over the River Acequión, the Eras de la Sal, the docks
from where the salt was once loaded onto boats for its transport,
and which have now been converted into a concert-hall, where
the international Habaneras and Polyphonic Festival is held.
Visitors will also be charmed by the Parish Church of the Immaculate
Conception, which was built at the end of the 19th century, and
by the casino (a culture centre, not a gambling house), which
dates from the same time, and has a splendid neo-Nasrite style
hall. Also in the vicinity, the visitor will find the remains
of a Roman jetty.
Another highly recommended excursion is a visit to the saltpans.
The salt lagoon stretches out behind the town, and lays 3 metres
below sea level, with a perimeter of 25 kilometres and a length
of 6 kilometres. The extraction process is interesting to observe.
The salt itself, which lies all around in enormous heaps, is also
a spectacular sight with its clean shining whiteness. At dusk,
the surface of the salterns, with its pools of water is like a
mirror revealing a variety of extraordinary colours that, together
with the immaculate white of the salt mountains, forms an unusual
landscape.