Mazarrón's Big Guns

The Gun Batteries of Castillito, Jorel and Altalayon at Cabo Tiñoso

This is an outing by motor car or by bicycle for the energetic. Take the road for Cartagena from Puerto de Mazarron, and just as you approach the filling station turn right towards Isla Plana. Keep going until you reach the turning for La Azohía - the road is a very pleasant costal drive and passes some nice bays and beaches. Do not turn to La Azohía, just keep going, now slightly uphill, until you see a turning to Campillo de Adentro to the right. Turn here.

Campillo de Adentro lies in the hollow of a pretty valley almost completely surrounded by mountains. There are a few houses and farms but little else; pass through the village and eventually you will come to the start of a military road with intimidating warning signs forbidding passage. Ignore these, they haven't been removed since the military abandoned the zone a few years ago.



This is the real start of your adventure as for the next 7 Km the narrow road twists it's way upwards through the mountains, giving breathtaking views of the coastline and countryside. A driver needs to concentrate as this has become quite a popular place in recent years, the road is rather narrow and cars have to be careful in order to pass safely.


Near the summit there is a left turn which takes you to the Guns - if you continue straight on then you'll get to a TV mast which has the same fine views as from the Guns, but nothing else. The Guns are a further 2 Km or so from this turning.

This is a place which is certain to interest military historians, or simply those who fancy seeing something a little different. The centrepiece is two massive guns at Castillitos with their associated magazines, sighting points, control rooms etc. Although military architecture is often ugly, here the Battery has been built into the mountainside in the style of a castle, using a lot of local stone. There are some smaller guns further along the road at Jorel, but even these are quite large - they just seem small after seeing the first two monsters ! Finaly there is an abandoned AA battery at Atalayon which is the peak you first encounter on reaching the batteries.

These massive batteries were part of the shore defences for Cartagana, which is the headquarters of the Spanish Mediterranean Fleet, and often has visiting warships from other countries, including the USA.
 
 


 

If these guns were ever fired in anger is not known, although presumably some rounds must have been fired for comissioning purposes or for exercises. If anyone can provide any information then please send us an e-mail as there is a lot of local interest.
 
 
 
 

There is also a track down the mountainside from here leading to the lighthouse at Cabo Tiñoso, but unless one is a student of lighthouses there is little to see.

This outing would take about a morning, or afternoon to complete. Call at one of the bars or resturants on the La Azohia road you passed earlier for refreshment on your return journey or maybe visit La Azohia village and the Tower of St Elena

 

For more information about the Batteries at Cabo Tiñoso go to our page about the Coastal Defences of Cartagena and follow the links.

Mazarron.com