In Hard Hobbit To Break we don't usually talk to you about many military fortifications. However, in our effort to discover places that are worth visiting in our country, today we have decided to tell you about a construction of this type located in Cartagena, Murcia. We are referring to the Battery of Castillitos, a place that has impressed since before you entered the entrance.
Do you want to discover all the details of this corner Carthaginian? Well, then you can not miss anything we tell you below!
The origins of the Battery of Castillitos
As we were saying, the battery of Castillitos is in Cartagena. Specifically, it is located in the Tiñoso cape, very close to the town of La Azohía, which is characterized by its steep mountains and its cliffs, and about 250 meters above sea level. Logically, its location is totally strategic, since the objective of this construction was to protect the Cartagena naval base. Its origin has to do with the Defense Plan of 1926, although its construction did not begin until 1929, when the land was cleared. Of course, the fortification was carried out between 1933 and 1939.
Leading defense technology
Although in Hard Hobbit To Break we are totally pacifists, the truth is that this fortification has something special that makes anyone who has the pleasure of visiting it fall in love. Without a doubt, one of the most surprising things about this place is that it seems to be a construction of origin medieval although, as we have mentioned, its construction began around the 1930s. As we have just mentioned, its main function was to defend any hostile approach to the naval base. For this reason, the site was equipped with cutting-edge technology in terms of protection.
Military installations
The most remarkable thing is that two 381 mm Vickers cannons were mounted here, which at the time were the most powerful. In fact, they were capable of firing projectiles of nearly a ton 35 kilometers away. However, it was only fired once in 1937. But beyond these canyons, military installations include other areas. Thus, the set can be divided into five buildings: the entrance portico to the moats, which imitates medieval castles; the tunnels and rooms of the moats, which have an underground emergency exit that leads to the mountain; workshops, whose facades are neoclassical in style; command posts, observation and telemetry, which are aware; and services and living accommodation: bedrooms, dining room, kitchens, canteen, games room, sports facilities ...
Well of Cultural Interest
Although practically useless, the batteries were active until 1994, when they were out of service after the Northern Plan, which aimed to modernize the resources of the Armed Forces. At the moment this place still belongs to the Ministry of Defense, although its function is merely tourist. In fact, it was declared a Site of Cultural Interest. Undoubtedly, beyond the buildings, what is most striking about this place are its wonderful views of the bays of Cartagena and Mazarrón, and the Sierra de la Muela. This was one of the reasons why in 2013 the Bateria de Castillitos was a finalist in the Best Corner contest organized every year by the Repsol Guide. Specifically, it was in fourth position. If you want to know the winners of this year, we recommend that you take a look at our article "The three Best Places in Spain in 2015". Then we leave you with our Gallery, where you will find more images of this Carthaginian corner. Do not miss it!
Things to do in/around Mazarrón, Murcia, Spain, Part 2: Bateria de Castillitos/Canons of Cartagena (April 2024)
- Cartagena, Murcia
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