COSTA BLANCA - SPAIN The first thing that draws your attention in Torrevieja is its setting. index have you been to torrevieja? There are two salt lagoons, one pink and the other green, which make up the La Mata and Torrevieja Lagoons Nature Reserve. Together, they cover a total of 3,700 Hectares, which represents have you been to torrevieja? pág. 05 52% of the local terrain, and contain enormous biological wealth. They are well renown both at national and international levels. It therefore becomes clear right from the beginning that this is truly a sun, sea, beach and coves pág. 06 unique tourist municipality, whose natural surroundings represent a wonderful tourist asset. Culture pág. 10 Torrevieja´s origins are also very interesting. It all began with the fishing activity, around the 18th century, when fishermen and sailors Avenues, gardens and plazas pág. 20 began to use the Torrevieja coastline for shelter during the “bad sea” days. Since then, the newly established town began to welcome sailors from other regions, particularly Napolitan and Genoese A town with sports facilities pág. 24 emigrants. The abundance of Italian surnames, including Parodi, Zechini, Boracino, Fortepiani, etc in Torrevieja today confirm this. By Nature pág. 28 the way, do you know why Torrevieja is called Torrevieja?. When we talk about this city we essentially refer to two things: salt Gastronomy pág. 32 and sea. Firstly salt, because it is the real origin of this town. For centuries, the Torrevieja area has been a wonderful spot for mining the salt generated in the Torrevieja Lagoon. This encouraged the Commerce pág. 34 Reales Salinas management body (set in the nearby district of La Mata) to move to Torrevieja in 1803. This was the real origin of Leisure and entertainment pág. 36 the city and lead to the foundation of the town. The inhabitants of Torrevieja (lit. Old Tower) then began to develop a town, whose name comes from the old Torre Vigía (Watchtower), or Vieja (Old), set Don’t forget to visit pág. 38 in the Eras de la Sal (salt beds), the old salt pier. It was at this time that different activities began to develop, among them the salt sea trade bound for the ports of the Caribbean. This highly valued mineral Accommodation pág. 41 was exchanged for exotic products such as sugar cane, mahogany wood, etc. As a result of these journeys, the habanera was born. This Maps pág. 42 was a classic Torrevieja song which the sailors adapted as a way of expressing their experiences on the long crossings. 4 5 sun, sea, beach and coves The Torrevieja coast is very long, covering a total of 14 km of coastline, along which there are numerous beaches and coves where you can cool down and relax. The La Mata Beach, which runs from North to South, stands out from the rest. It is the longest spreading across almost two kilometres, and the dunes are characterised by the abundance of fossilised dunes. If you like spacious and quiet beaches, La Mata is a great choice. A little further South, where some historians discovered the spot that today is Torrevieja, we find Cabo Cervera and the beach with the same name: Playa de Cabo Cervera. Here they found an old Watchtower, the so-called Torre del Moro (Moorish Tower), which offers a spectacular viewpoint which allows to see the area from the Mar Menor (Lower Sea) -in the South- to the Cabo de Santa Pola (Santa Pola Cape) - in the North. Continuing Southwards along the coast, we discover “Las calas” (“The coves”), an area with quiet coves where you can go diving or simply enjoy a good swim. South of “Las Calas” is the Punta del Salaret, which shelters the Playa de Los Locos (Madmen Beach), a striking spot reminiscent of the old sanatorium which Playa del Cura used to be there. This beach now forms part of the built-up part of Torrevieja and offers visitors numerous services. As you will have noticed, Torrevieja has an exceptional climate; a Mediterranean climate highly influenced by the proximity of the sea and set in the Iberian Peninsula, leeward of the cloudy Western fronts. This creates a very pleasant annual average temperature and many hours of sunlight each year; a climate which, among other factors, has made Torrevieja a perfect place to live and to enjoy the sea. If you are lucky, you will be able to sample the “famous” Torrevieja dry octopus in one of its kiosks, which must be accompanied by a fresh “paloma”. If you continue South, towards the centre of Torrevieja, you will pass by the Cala or Curva del Palangre and Punta Margalla, home to the Monumento a las Culturas del Mediterráneo (Monument to Mediterranean Cultures), an area commonly known as “Las Columnas” (The Columns). From this landmark, you will be able to see the city’s most famous beach, Playa del Cura. We must point out the great quantity of services provided for tourists here, with numerous restaurants, refreshment stalls, kiosks, etc., where you can cool down and enjoy yourself in between swims. A perfect beach to enjoy a different day out with the family. Playa de la La Mata Cala Piteras 6 7 A spectacular pedestrian route begins here, near the seashore, in which you will find rocks among which you will be able to plunge and snorkel. Pay attention to the posidonian meadows: they form a rich marine ecosystem. If you like diving, don’t doubt it. Just take your flippers and your glasses and jump into the water. Today is your day. Nevertheless, remember that may you wish to do underwater fishing, you will need a special permission. All the Torrevieja beaches are certified with the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 regulations for quality and environmental management. This reaffirms Torrevieja as a symbol of prestige and quality. Cala Ferris Adjacent to the Western dock in the Torrevieja harbour, is the Playa de los Náufragos (Shipwreck Beach), an extensive beach where you can complement a beach day with a fun snorkelling trip. Also, just a few metres deep, towards the North, - the port- or the South -La Veleta town-, there are posidonia meadows with fascinating ecosystems that we recommend you take a look at whilst respecting the environment. If you go snorkelling in the “La Veleta” area, notice how there are sections of tiles at the bottom. Curious? You should know that the Playa de los Náufragos owes its name to the shipwrecks which took place nearby. In the 19th C and the beginning of the 20th C, Torrevieja was a true shipping dream, with many ships which traded with the Caribbean ports, such as La Habana. On many of these crossings, the Torrevieja ships departed with tiles. After a shipwreck these often settled on the sea beds: that is why there are tile remains in some areas. In the far South of the City, we can find Punta Prima, where Torrevieja borders the municipal district of Orihuela. At this peripheral point of the city, we find an emblematic cove, an inlet which looks more like the Caribbean Sea than the Mediterranean: Cala Ferris (Ferris Cove). Covered with palm trees and small dunes, with crystalline waters, this cove offers you the chance to enjoy a quiet swim surrounded by the sound of the birds -including parrots- and the sea. We recommend that you take your goggles and flippers and that you sharpen your senses in the posidonia meadows. You will be astounded by the quantity of fish living in this ecosystem. Playa de los Náufragos Calas de Torrevieja 8 9 Theatre, exhibitions and cultural activities Inspired by the Berlin Philharmonic concert hall this A-C has established The A-C is set in a landscape dominated by a feature of great beauty: the hill itself, from its inauguration in March 2011, as the most important cultural of San Jaime which can be seen to the east and to the west the Lagoons of infrastructure in the city. Also the stage is the most complete and prepared in La Mata and Torrevieja, essential components of the Natural Park of the same the Valencian Community. name. It has landscaped gardens of 95,665 square metres in area. It is divided fundamentally into two areas:the Auditorium with a symphony hall for 1450 Designed by the prestigious Valencian architect José María Tomás Llavador, this spectators, a smaller concert hall with a capacity of 385 persons plus a perimeter building has established itself as a true Congress Centre. In this way Torrevieja`s hall which joins both sections. Moreover the Conservatory which has buildings commitment to diversification, differentiation and qualification of its tourist annexed to the auditorium, will be used for the advanced teaching of music. offer, committing decidedly to a new segment of the market known as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions). International Auditorium and Conservatory of Music. Partida de la Loma, s/n. culture Torrevieja is all about culture. Did you know that in 2006 Torrevieja was the only weekend you will find a different cultural programme, with exhibitions, first Spanish city with two architectural works exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art class theatrical shows, concerts for both national and international audiences, in New York? And that we are the only city in Spain with two floating museums? museums, international festivals, conferences, screenings, courses, workshops Indeed, the saltworks city can boast a cultural infrastructure and programme and much more which is as good or better than any other in nearby provincial capitals. Every Auditorio Internacional de Torrevieja - Palacio de Congresos 10 11 Exhibition Hall Torrevieja boasts a cutting-edge cultural infrastructure and programme, a good “Vista Alegre” example of which is the Municipal Auditorium Theatre.