La Herradura Castle

La Herradura Castle has quite the history and is now an interactive museum honoring the 1562 shipwreck in the La Herradura bay.  We call it a castle, but it really was used for other purposes.

La Herradura Castle has quite the history and is now an interactive museum honoring the 1562 shipwreck in the La Herradura bay.  We call it a castle, but it really was used for other purposes. read more on Almunecarinfo.com

 

Batería Defensiva El Castillo de La Herradura

The monument was built in 1770 by Carlos III. This was all part of the coastal surveillance and defense strategy. This was about the same time the towers of Cerro Gordo and Punta de la Mona we also erected.  From the castle or fortress, they were able to communicate with the two towers.

This was a way to give warning and defend against Berber pirates and movements on the sea, all to protect the local fisherman and farmers.  As well as the first line of protection for the city of Granada.  Fires were used as a deterrent during the night and smoke signals were used during the day.

(Battery defensive La Herradura Castle)

The fortress was used by the army until 1839, followed by the civil guard.  In 20o5 the Almuñécar Auyuntamiento took over and commissioned the restoration. In 2011 this restoration was complete and in 2021 the inauguration of the Historical Museum “1562-La Furia del Mar” was opened.

Now the castle is an interactive museum and a cultural space that will keep alive the memory of the shipwreck that occurred off the coast of La Herradura in the year 1562, in which 25 galleys of the Armada sank, in which more than 5,000 people lost their lives, a naval disaster greater than that of the Titanic at the beginning of the 20th century.

Historical Museum 1562-La furia del mar – Photo Gallery

 

La Herradura Museum Hours

La Herradura Castle has quite the history and is now an interactive museum honoring the 1562 shipwreck in the La Herradura bay.  We call it a castle, but it really was used for other purposes. read more on Almunecarinfo.com

Location near Playa La Herradura

The Castle is about 1 block inland from Playa La Herradura, just to the western end of the village.  You may also access off of the N340.

More to do in Playa La Herradura

Monument to shipwrecked sailors

As you enter the town of La Herradura, you will notice a large bronze sculpture along the beach.  This is the Monument to Shipwrecked Sailors.   The deep bay of La Herradura hides the remains of 25 ships of the Spanish Navy, and more than five thousand sailors.  The La Herradura naval disaster occurred on October 19, 1562, due to a very large storm.
Monument to Shipwrecked Sailors La Herradura Spain

Please read our guide on La Herradura

La Herradura Spain! Visit Playa La Herradura Granada Coast, with a charming old town, pedestrian streets, an incredible village vibe, with a central plaza and an amazing beach. Read more on AlmunecarInfo.com

Great places to eat in La Herradura

Tapas in La Herradura

As you meander the streets of La Herradura or stroll along the beach or paseo, eventually you will likely stop for some tapas.  We’ll help you find scrumptious tapas in La Herradura.  It may just seem like any regular restaurant from the outside, or it may feel more like a beach-side cafe, but either way, they are going to have some Spanish tapas for you!  Just sit down and order a drink to let the magic happen of the Spanish lifestyle happen.

Where To Find Scrumptious Tapas In La Herradura Granada - As you meander the streets or stroll along the paseo, you will likely stop for tapas in La Herradura.  Just sit down and order a drink to let the magic happen of the Spanish lifestyle happen. Read more on AlmunecarInfo.com

Vegetarian La Herradura

While we aren’t aware of any dedicated vegetarian restaurants in La Herradura, there are many that are vegetarian-friendly.  If they don’t specifically have something on the menu, be sure to ask to alter their menu items.  For example, even when you order a salad, you need to be careful, as many come with ham or tuna.  Just specify when you order, as all of the La Herradura restaurants are very friendly.

Vegetarian Friendly La Herradura Restaurants - While this isn't an all-inclusive list, here are several vegetarian friendly restaurants La Herradura, to get you started. Read more on AlmunecarInfo.com

Surfboard Showers Almuñécar & La Herradura

Cowabunga!  Surfboard showers have made their way onshore on the Almuñécar & La Herradura beaches!
Cowabunga!  Surfboard showers have made their way onshore on the Almuñécar & La Herradura beaches! Enjoy the Costa Tropical! Read more on Almunecarinfo.com
Almuñécar & La Herradura has added a bit of fun and color to our beaches.  After you’ve enjoyed your time at the beach, locate one of the many surfboard showers and  enjoy rinsing off.  You don’t need to worry about a wipeout with these surfboards, they are just there to get you clean.
You will find several fun surfboard-shaped showers installed on our beaches.   Can you get a photo with them all?  We share a few with you below in our gallery.

Surfboard shower gallery

Surfboard showers can be found on the following beaches:

Tesorillo, Velilla, Puerta del Mar, San Cristobal, La Herradura, Cotobro
Almuñécar Beaches – Almuñécar Playas
With over 19 km of coastline, the Almuñécar beaches (Almuñecar playas and Playa La Herradura) are for everyone.  Of course, some of the most popular are those which are easily accessible and right in the urban area of town.  There are also several which are secluded or offer small coves or cliffs, for a little variety.  Many of the beaches are covered with stones or pebbles, there are even some with dark sand.  We think these are some of the best beaches in Granada, playas de Almuñecar.
With over 19 km of coastline, there are plenty of Almuñécar beaches for everyone.  The most popular are easily accessible and right in town. Read more on Almunecarinfo.com

Almuñécar Tags

The Ayuntamiento wants your selfies, so please use the tags in your photos! 

@visitalmunecarlaherradura
@almunecarinfo
@turismoalmunecarlaherradura⁠
@Almunecarayuntamiento
#almuñecar #almunecar #costatropical #almuñécarlaherradura

Monument to the Espetero & Espetos

The Almuñécar City Council pays homage to the espetero and the espetos with a Monument next to the Paseo de San Cristóbal.

Monument to the espetero & espetos. Paseo San Cristobal Almunecar Spain. Read more on Almunecarinfo.com

Espetero Definition:

An Espetero is a traditional coastal job related to the roasting of fish in espeto (on skewers).

About the Monument to the Espetero & Espetos

The Almuñécar City Council pays homage to the espetero and the espetos with a Monument along the Paseo de San Cristóbal.  Located next to Restaurante Botos, across from Helios Hotel.  Honored at the unveiling were locals of the trade; Manuel Mingorance Pérez “Piliki”, Miguel Rodríguez Moral “El Roquetero” and José Manuel Ortuño “El Arapo”, as well as Carmelo Martín Pérez.

The city council would like to recognize so many men from our town who are authentic artisans of flavor, espetar, control fire, and, ultimately, artisans of the ritual of making a good sardine skewer.  This monument is in honor of the traditions of our parents and the children who will do so in the future.  It’s things like this that will continue to enhance the Almuñécar culture even more.  It is already an excellent photo hotspot.

The work, carried out by the Moreno Brothers of Granada and will serve to honor the memory of many people dedicated to this job. Which is a tradition of the chiringuitos.  It was made with a mixed technique: forged and welded sheet metal and cast bronze (head, foot, hands, and sardines).

This is the 9th piece of work by Miguel Moreno commissioned in Almuñécar and La Herradura.  The other monuments have been displayed in various parts of the municipality since 1984.  You will recognize the monument to Los Fenicios (Paseo del Altillo). Abderramán Monument (next to the Peñones del Santo). Seahorse (Aquarium Square). Monument to the Men of the Countryside (Carrera de la Concepción). Water Monument (Water Square). Monument to the flamenco singer, Rafael Muñoz “El Niño del Cerval” (Alta del Mar street). Monument to the Men of the Sea and the Heart, on La Herradura beach.

Monument to the Espetero & Espetos

Monument to the espetero & espetos. Paseo San Cristobal Almunecar Spain. Read more on Almunecarinfo.com

Almuñécar Monument to Water

The monument to water is one of the many monuments you will find around town.  This one in particular is very interesting to look at.  These are really three separate statues; three bronze torsos (one male and two females) leaping over fountains of water.  Because the artist created without heads or complete bodies, some think they are a work in progress, but we assure you they are complete.

Monument to Water, Main Bus Station

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Archaeological Museum Cueva de Siete Palacios

The Archaeological Museum Cueva de Siete Palacios, also known as the Cave of 7 Palaces.  It represents the largest section of the former Roman Palace.  The museum is located in what was once the basement of this Roman Palace.  Inside, there are remains of the historic past of Almuñécar.  Including remains found at the necropolis of Puente de Noy, Laurita, and the fish salting factory of El Majuelo.

The Archaeological Museum Cueva de Siete Palacios, also known as the Cave of 7 Palaces, is surprisingly not located within a cave. Instead it represents the largest section of the former Roman Palace. Ticket included with Castillo de San Miguel entry. Read more on Almunecarinfo.com

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Castillo de San Miguel – San Miguel Castle

Castillo de San Miguel, also known as San Miguel Castle (St. Michael’s Castle) is perched high upon the hill above the Old Town of Almuñécar.  It is surrounded by the whitewashed houses in the barrio of San Miguel.  This occupies the land once used by Phoenicians and Romans.   It was also used in the Nasrid period for the dungeon.  While not a huge castle, it is in very good condition.  Inside there is a small museum with a scale model of what the area once was.

Castillo de San Miguel, also known as San Miguel Castle (St. Michael’s Castle) is perched high upon the hill above the Old Town of Almuñécar Spain. We cover opening hours, ticket prices, when to go, what to see and more. Read more on Almunecarinfo.com

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Casillas de Peones Camineros Almuñécar

You can spend years living in an area, and pass by interesting historical sites, and not even know it.  This post will cover the Casillas de Peones Camineros (Road Workers’ House) in Almuñécar, but you can find them all over Spain.  It’s easy to overlook not only the building, but the role it played in keeping Almuñécar connected to the rest of Spain.

You can pass by interesting historical sites in Spain without even knowing it.  The Casillas de Peones Camineros (Road Workers' House) in Spain. Read more on Almunecarinfo.com

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Faro de La Herradura (The La Herradura Lighthouse)

Picture a sentinel in an old stone watchtower, perched high up on the cliffs of Punta de la Mona.  He can see for miles out to sea and along the coastline, with mountainous lands jetting right into the sea.  He is there protecting the castles and the nearby villages.  There’s nothing but the rocky cliffs with the sea crashing below.  He has means to communicate with the neighboring watchtowers along the coast, via light signals.  This was the life of a watchman back in the 1700’s.

The Punta de la Mona tower (Torre Punta de la Mona) was originally built as a watchtower in the 1700s and was converted to a lighthouse in 1992.  Now the Faro de La Herradura or the La Herradura lighthouse, with must see stunning views of Almuñecar and La Herradura.

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Calle Real Fountain – Almuñécar

As you meander the pedestrian streets of old town Almuñécar, you are bound to happen upon the Calle Real Fountain.  This fountain was originally built in 1559, with remnants of the Roman aqueduct encased in glass beside the fountain.  It 1994, the Calle Real Fountain was restored to its current state.  

Almunecar Old Town Calle Real Fountain

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