Tabarca Island History

Step Back In Time On This Little Island

Tabarca Island Walls

The History and Buildings of Tabarca, Alicante

I have decided to write about the history and the buildings of Tabarca Island together because the two are very much intertwined.

When you step onto Tabarca Island it is very much like stepping back in time. There are buildings remaining from the 18th century and these tell the story of Tabarca Island.

The Story of The Pirates

The island was a refuge for Barbury pirates up to the end of the 18th Century. Pirates used to hide away on the Island whist using it as a base to plunder passing vessels.

This caused a problem for the then Spanish King - King Carlos III.

At the time Spain had possession of an Island off the coast of Tunisia called Tabarqah (Tabarka). In 1741, the King of Tunisia invaded this Spanish Island and took the Genoese inhabitants as prisoners. King Carlos III was incensed at this and rescued these prisoners and they were returned to the port of Alicante. He then decided that he would put these Genoese prisoners on the Island of Tabarca.

The result of this? Well, the result was that the pirates no longer had a hideout on Isla de Tabarca and were run off the island by these 300 or so prisoners. The military engineer Fernando Méndez Ras was responsible for planning the new town and he planned a fortified town with walls, bulwarks, warehouses and houses. These buildings still remain today.

Around 1770 the island became known as 'Nova Tabarca', which translates as 'New Tabarca'.

At the end of the 19th Century, the island had a population of around 1000 people mainly devoted to fishing. Now, the permanent population is around 50 during the winter months and even greater over the Summer months.

Fishing and tourism now drive the economy with Tabarca receiving between to 2000 - 3000 visitors a day during the height of Summer.

Tabarca Island Buildings to Visit

Walking around the Island takes about an hour and a half, so it is really quite small.

The West of the Island is the part that is inhabited. Here there are small streets, the church, the walls and their gateways, the beach and the port.

There is a museum on the island - Nueva Tabarca Museum (located in the Almadrba warehouse building)

Tel: +34 965 960 175

The opening hours are as follows;

Winter opening hours

Wednesday to Sunday:

11 am to 2 pm

3 pm to 4.30 pm

Summer opening hours

Wednesday to Sunday:

11 am to 2 pm

4 pm to 6.30 pm

Walls

These defensive walls were built in stone on order from King Carlos III in 1769.

The walls surrounding the town have been officially declared a Historical and Artistic Site and an Asset of Cultural Interest.

Nowadays the walls are used as launch pads for the daring!

Tabarca Island Cliff Jumping

Gateways or Entrances

The walls had entrances / gateways built into them and there were 3 points of entry.

Puerta de Alicante or San Miguel

Built from the north, has rough stone vaults and gives access to the old pier.

Puerta de Levante o San Rafael

The first gate you will come across if coming form the sea-port. There is a plaque commemorating the twinning of the islands of San Pietro and New Tabarca MCMLXXV XXIX VI.

Gate of Trance or San Gabriel

Built to the west and has a small dome, shield with real weapons and the inscription Carolus III HISPANIARUM REX, fecit, EDIFICAVIT.

Tabarca Island Gateway

Iglesia de San Pedro and San Pablo - The chuch of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

The church dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul is a rectangular nave, is divided into four sections and has side chapels. It has two doors, fortified appearance and is located right on the edge of the island overlooking the sea.

Governor's House

Tabarca Island Church

Built in the center of the town and was originally designed to house the town hall. It has a main body with two adjoining wings which make an open courtyard.

Has recently been converted into hotel but not many of the original features have been kept.

Torre de San José - San Jose Tower

Tabarca Island San Jose Tower

Designed by Balthasar Ricoud and built in 1789 it stands alone on the northeatern side of the Island in an area known as Campo. Originally it was a lookout tower. It stands at 27.5 metres high and is in the form of a 'truncated pyramid' with a square base and three floors. It was used as the state prison in the 19th Century.

Lighthouse

Tabarca Island Lighthouse