The Port Santa Pola was the port of Elche during Roman times, when it was called Portus Illicitanus. The archaeological remains from this period are located in what is now the new suburb of Ensanche de Poniente. An ancient factory of salted fish and meat from the 4th century B.C., walls, rooms from the commercial area and a Roman residence are all part of this compound. In Casa del Palmeral, it is possible to see the arrangement of rooms around a courtyard at a stately country house from the 4th century B.C.
The 21st century has brought a modern infrastructure to the port, facilitating the berthing of sporting and fishing vessels, as well as the loading of salt. The fish market, the stands of the Market of Abastos and Casa del Mar (the Sea House) remind visitors that he of she is at a busy fishing port. There, you can board a vessel that will take you to the nearby island of Tabarca, where there is a walled precinct and a diverse Marine Reserve. In the town centre of Santa Pola there is a fortress - the castle built under order of Philip II to repel attacks by pirates and privateers. Its square floor-plan is guarded by two bastions and two towers, which lead to a parade ground, an underground reservoir and a chapel. This magnificent site is now the town's Cultural Centre, home to: the Sea Museum, the Fishing Museum, the Municipal Exhibition Hall and the Virgen de Loreto Chapel. This was also the site of the Municipal Aquarium, which has now moved to its own facilities where you can see species like the starry smooth-hound, triggerfish, loggerhead turtle, and many others.
The defence system, which dates back to the 16th century, continues with another three watchtowers: one erected on the salt mines (Tamarit tower), one on the south-eastern area of the Sierra (Escaletes tower) and the last, the Atalayola tower, on top of which the present lighthouse was built. A walk around this town will lead you to lively squares, such as Glorieta and to natural viewing points like the one in Plaza del Calvario. From this spot you will enjoy an unbeatable panoramic view of Santa Pola Bay and its promenade, an excellent place to take a stroll on the shores of the Mediterranean.
