CASTILLITOS BATTERY - LA AZOHÍA
Located on the tip of Cabo Tiñoso, at an altitude of 250 meters above sea level, from where the panoramic view goes from Punta de Los Aguilones (Escombreras) to Cabo de Gata.
This construction was designed according to Primo de Rivera Naval Bases Defensive's Plan; the levelling works began in 1929. The construction was carried out between the years 1933 to 1936. It was armed with two 38,1 cm. calibre Vickers cannons that had a range of nearly 35,000m, launching piercing projectiles of almost 900kgs. Identical to its homologous in Cenizas battery, both crossed fire to prevent that any ships could bomb the Naval Base of Cartagena.
The façade of the entrance to the moat and the workshops, are of a historicist or eclectic architectural style, trying to reproduce a medieval castle.
The weight and dimensions of the various components of the pieces forced the completion of a series of previous works, such as la Azohía's dock. This work allowed the Samson Crane (which nowadays is on a roundabout of the quay) perform the download operations. It was also necessary the construction of a road of 9kms in length that would allow access to the machinery, as well as the construction of a road for the supply of sand from Salitrona cove.
This battery along with its groupmates: Jorel and Atalayón, had a great importance during the Spanish Civil War.
In the year 1977 executed the last drill with real fire. In the year 1990 it is in the situation of capped and in 1994 it is decommissioned by application of the North Plan although it remains armed with the two Vickers pieces.
The access to this fortification is made from Cartagena to La Azohía road, crossing the Alamillo, which is at Km.7, then you have to take the detour to Campillo de Adentro and Cabo Tiñoso lighthouse.
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