Santa Pola is situated on the coast, at the south of the province of Alicante, 17
kms. from the provincial capital. It forms part of the "Baix Vinalopo" region, together
with Elche and Crevillente.
With its typically Mediterranean climate, in Santa Pola one lives constantly in springtime,
with an average annual temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, which makes this area an
ideal spot for leisure and recreation throughout the year.
Neighbouring towns are Elche (inland), Alicante (the provincial capital) along the
coast to the North and Guardamar del Segura down the coast to the South.
Santa Pola has a transport infrastructure which makes it easy for tourists and visitors
to get to the town and travel around the area.
As a defensive measure, in the 16th century thirty seven watchtowers were built along
the Valencian coast to monitor the Mediterranean.
Within the boundaries of Santa Pola are three watchtowers; the Tamarit tower, situated
at the salt pans, which served as a link with the land round Elche, the Escaletes
tower, also known as the Pep tower, on the south-eastern part of the Sierra, whose
function was to monitor the neighbouring island of Tabarca and the Atalayola tower,
on which was later constructed the current lighthouse, which communicated with the
other two.
All are strategically located to spot the enemy before he reached the coast and they
communicated with each other by smoke signals during the day and by lights at night.
The Castle Fort
This was constructed in 1558 by Italian engineers by order of the Viceroy of Valencia,
Don Bernardino de Cardenas, for the protection and defence of mariners against the
attacks of pirates, a frequent occurence along our coast in the 16th and 17th century.It
is a fort of square form, with two bastions and two large towers at the corners,
characteristic of renaissance military construction. Inside is a parade ground and
a rainwater cistern, with a chapel of the Virgen de Loreto
Currently the castle has been converted into a Cultural Centre where activities of
a cultural, festive and religious nature take place.
