History of Torrevieja

The town of Torrevieja was founded administratively on 3rd March 1803 when King Charles IV decreed the removal of the administration of the Royal Salt Works from La Mata to the new area of Torre-viexa.

The name of this settlement is owing to the many maritime watch towers that lined the Mediterranean coast and of which there is still a replica in the form of the Torre del Moro panoramic viewpoint. The removal of the administration of the Royal Salt Works to Torrevieja represents the commencement of the history of this town. This beginning is reflected in a population growth linked to activities such as fishing and salt exploitation, activities which have continued to today.

It is difficult to summarise the history of Torrevieja, but one event which stands out is that of the brutal earthquake which struck Torrevieja in 1829 and which lead to the complete reconstruction of the town under the direction of the military architect Larramendi. The population of Torrevieja subsequently experienced a demographic development which was consolidated during the last quarter of the 20th century. This is why the present town is so cosmopolitan and multi-cultural and has nearly 100,000 inhabitants from about 180 nationalities on the municipal register.

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