The Peñón de Salobreña, one of the most popular parts of the Costa Tropical town, is preparing for a transformation that will allow visitors to walk around it and get to know its history and natural wealth.

During a visit to the new coastal park, mayor of Salobreña Javier Ortega, explained that the main objective of the project is to enhance the value of a place which is “very important and attractive from a tourist point of view”. According to him, locals and tourists haven’t been able fully enjoy the park. The Peñón isn’t easily accessible to the public and at night it is not lit.

The project involves the installation a perimeter fence for the safety of the visitors and small rest areas with soft lighting so that the rock can be seen at night.

Ortega says that the project will use the existing natural platforms and, instead of building a new infrastructure, the nature trails can be upgraded to be more safe.

In addition, old buildings and construction huts that are now in the area will be removed “to return the space to a more natural state” and “the aim is to make the Peñón passable, safe and enjoyable without losing its essence,” the mayor said.

This project is also important in terms of promoting the historical significance of the enclave. The Peñón has been a strategic point and an inhabited place since ancient times. In the 2nd century BC it was an island surrounded by sea that even had a temple. After the Guadalfeo river delta accumulated sediment, and with the passing of time, the island joined the coast.

In order to bring this history to light, information panels and QR code will be distributed along the route. In this way, visitors will be able to access information on the evolution of the Peñón, its geology and the history of the town from their mobile phones.

It is also home of unique plant species, many of which are rare in Mediterranean. To conserve and encourage the regeneration of these plants, the project envisions creating small protected zones. The area will also be cleared of invasive species.

The town hall also wants the Peñón to form part of the route of the future path that will connect the Costa Tropical’s towns. This enclave is meant to be a stop for visitors and locals along the route, allowing them to rest, explore and learn more about the area.

The project has been funded 100 percent by European funds, through the Tourism Sustainability Plan of the Next Generation Programme of the European Union. The budget for the project is about 400,000 euro.

To speed up deadlines, the Town Hall has put out the draft project for tender and the execution of work. Currently, the technical drafting and official reports are under processing. The town hall is hoping that the project can be completed by 30 June. This deadline was set in the Tourism Sustainability Plan.

The mayor emphasizes that this project also aims to prevent people from “jumping off the rocks into the sea”, which is a dangerous activity that occurs in the area every summer. The fence won’t stop anyone from doing this, but it will act as a dissuasive tool and a clear sign that such an activity is prohibited. A warning panel is located at the entrance of the building. It warns that fines can reach 3,000 Euros or higher.