The Chimenea de La Loma, Águilas

A very visible reminder of the industrial past of Águilas

When the town of Águilas grew in importance in the early nineteenth century it was principally as a result of the mining activity further inland, when rich deposits of iron, lead, silver and other substances were extracted from the hillsides of Almería and Lorca.

In 1838 a seam of silver was discovered in the hills of the Sierra de la Almagrera, and soon the silver mines were joined by others which extracted lead and iron. The influx of capital investment saved Águilas from ruin, and as the economy grew so did the population, with outsiders arriving in search of work and riches: more and more streets and houses were built, and between 1830 and 1850 the population tripled, reaching around 10,000.

The minerals were transported to Águilas by rail for shipment abroad and a whole series of foundries and smelting plants emerged in the town, and these led to the town becoming for a while the largest Mediterranean port in terms of mineral extract exports as well as esparto grass.

Initially the mines had their own foundries, but two others were built alongside, named Iberia (1843) and La Aurora, both of them coming into the ownership of the English company of Edward Bates.

The Chimenea de La Loma, which still stands on the western end of the town of Águilas, is a very visible reminder of these phases of the history of Águilas. It was built in the 1830s in order to ensure that the fumes and smoke from the San José and Iberia foundries did not pollute the air in the town.

The Chimenea de La Loma, Águilas

Most of the foundries in operation in the 19th century used underground tunnels and galleries to funnel the fumes away from their giant kilns, and when the plants fell into disuse these underground galleries were later used by tobacco smugglers.

When it was proposed that the chimney of La Loma should be demolished in the 1960s to make use of the thousands of bricks it contains, residents of Águilas protested and the chimney was saved, and although it was damaged by a bolt of lightning in the 1980s it still remains in place as a landmark to the industrial past of Águilas, and although it is hardly a tourist attraction in itself – it’s just a 40-metre chimney, there’s no industrial museum alongside – it is a very emotive tribute to the history of the town.

For further local information, events and news visit the home page of Águlias Today.

Find more information by AREA, TOWN or URBANISATION .....

South West Murcia

Aguilas
Aledo
Alhama de Murcia
Bolnuevo
Camposol
Condado de Alhama
Fuente Alamo
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Lorca
Mazarron
Puerto de Mazarron
Puerto Lumbreras
Sierra Espuna
Totana

North & North West Murcia

Bullas
Calasparra
Caravaca de la Cruz
Cehegin
Cieza
Fortuna
Jumilla
Moratalla
Mula
Yecla

Murcia Central

Abanilla
Abaran
Alcantarilla
Archena
Blanca
Corvera
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Lorqui
Molina de Segura
Mosa Trajectum
Murcia City
Peraleja Golf Resort
Ricote
Sucina

Urbanisations

Camposol
Condado de Alhama
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Torre Golf Resort
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Mazarron Country Club
Mosa Trajectum
Peraleja Golf Resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
La Zenia
Lomas de Cabo Roig Town Page

Important Topics:

AFS Windfoils CAMPOSOL TODAY Whats On Cartagena Spain Coronavirus Corvera Airport Murcia Murcia Gota Fria 2019 Murcia property Paramount Theme Park Murcia Weekly Bulletin