Date Published: 07/02/2019

ARCHIVED - Restoration of Civil War lookout bunkers nears completion on the coastline of Águilas

Three bunkers are being repaired and restored on high ground next to Águilas beaches

The restoration work at three Spanish Civil War lookout bunkers on the coastline of Águilas, the plans for which were unveiled last July, is due to finish during March, adding another point of interest to the beaches and cliffs of the south-westernmost municipality of the Costa Cálida, and the progress was inspected on Wednesday by Mayoress Mari Carmen Moreno.

The three coastal bunkers, which were part of the advance defence network protecting the naval base of Cartagena, are located on the long-distance walking route GR 92 – E 15. Two are between the beaches of Cañada del Negro and Matalentisco, while the third is between Cala de las Tortugas and Calarreona, but they often fail to attract attention due to their having been built in such a way as to blend in with the natural environment: in this way they were hard to spot from the sea.

At present all three are privately owned, but permission has been obtained to restore them and to erect information boards alongside, containing historical data as well as environmental and other points of interest.

The work carried out has consisted primarily of clearing the inevitable rubble and litter which accumulated over the decades, reinforcing structures, repairing finishes and spreading soil over the roofs, as was done when the bunkers were first built. At the same time, access trenches have been re-dug and fencing placed around them.

The project, which is wholly subsidized by EU funding, has cost a little over 33,500 euros, and is on course to be completed well within the timeframe of 12 months which was specified last July.

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