Step into 500 years of battles, legends, and secrets at Santa Pola’s Castle.
Built in 1557 to defend the coast from pirates, this stone fortress once protected sailors and their families from constant attacks.
The fortress was designed in tough Renaissance military style, with two towers and two massive bastions. Inside, 33 soldiers, a mayor, a lieutenant, and a chaplain lived with their families, ready for battle at a moment’s notice.
Cannons guarded the battlements, and life inside was all about survival.
As centuries rolled on, war gave way to everyday life. The castle transformed becoming a town hall, a Guardia Civil HQ, a court, a hospital, and even an improvised bullring.
Today, the Castle is a vibrant cultural centre, home to the Museo del Mar, the Fishing Museum, the Duke of Arcos Bastion, art exhibitions, and the Virgen de Loreto Chapel.
