Torremolinos has a new cooling square

The newly renovated Plaza Antonio Abril de Toledo was unveiled today by Mayor Margarita del Cid as a tribute of a beloved local character.

Joined by council officials, Abril’s family, including his daughter Adelina, and representatives from the Emaús charity and Colegio Miramar, the ceremony celebrated both a revitalised public space and Abril’s enduring legacy.

‘This isn’t just a remodelled plaza, Mayor Del Cid said. ‘We’ve created a cooler, shadier spot, a climate refuge, for local residents and visitors strolling through the town centre.’ This plaza was funded partly by European NextGeneration EU Grants and local efforts. It is designed to combat urban heat, in line with Torremolinos’ climate action goals.

The heart of any project is its name. Antonio Abril de Toledo moved from Malaga to Torremolinos with his young family in 1966 to run La Gamba Alegre. In 1966, Antonio Abril de Toledo, a teacher by profession and a Torremolinos native by birth, founded Colegio Miramar. He later played an important role in Torremolinos’s push for autonomy. In 1997, his social conscience led him to establish the Emaús Soup Kitchen, initially serving the elderly before expanding to all in need. Abril died in November 2019, following a fall.

‘Antonio was Torremolinos’ history,’ the mayor said. ‘As a restaurateur, educator, and champion of the vulnerable, he carried this town in his heart. Now, the beautiful plaza makes sure we keep him in our hearts.