El Rompido: Nature, Lighthouses and Almadraba

El Rompido combines a unique natural setting with maritime history and a range of activities. The Paraje Natural Marismas del Río Piedras y Flecha de El Rompido extends around the mouth of the Río Piedras. Sediments carried in by the sea and the river, together with the influence of the tides, form a system of marshland and the approximately 10-kilometre-long Flecha de El Rompido sand dune, which runs parallel to the coast.

Nature

The Sendero Marismas de San Miguel passes through a marshland landscape with watercourses and channels. Its appearance changes with the rhythm of the incoming and outgoing tides. Another route is the Sendero Río Piedras: it is 4 kilometres long, has a low level of difficulty and an estimated walking time of 1.5 hours. Access is via a car park near the Faro de El Rompido; the initial section has been adapted for people with reduced mobility.

The Sendero Río Piedras has information panels on marine aquaculture, traditional fishing methods and common species of the marshland. The different characteristics of the route give walks and nature observation their own thematic framework, without restricting the landscape to a single activity.

Activities

El Rompido Golf complements the natural experience with a 36-hole golf course designed by Álvaro Arana. The complex has a South Course from 2003 and a North Course from 2006. The route, natural setting and golf course therefore stand alongside one another as clearly distinct themes.

Culture

The Faros de El Rompido are located in the coastal town of El Rompido and offer views of the town as well as the Marismas del Río Piedras y Flecha de El Rompido nature reserve. The old lighthouse of El Rompido was built in 1861, is 13 metres high and was decommissioned in 1976. The new lighthouse of El Rompido is 31 metres high and has a range of 24 miles.

History

Real de la Almadraba is associated with the history of traditional tuna fishing in the town. Real de la Almadraba operated from 1929 to 1963 and was a settlement in which around 900 Almadraberos lived together with their families. Nine of Real de la Almadraba’s eleven residential barracks have been preserved.

The Almadraba is a tuna-fishing method used since pre-Roman times. A net secured with a palangre is laid out between two boats to catch tuna and other fish species. The Parroquia de Ntra. Señora del Carmen was built of bricks in 1956, using those left over from the construction of Real de la Almadraba. The church formerly hosted weekly Masses as well as baptisms and weddings for the local community.

More places in this travel area: Nuevo Portil.

Waterfront

The waterfront promenade of El Rompido offers views of calm waters and the historic silhouette of the Almadraba on the opposite bank of the Río Piedras. It also has a children’s play area.

To the main travel overview: Cartaya.