In the southern wing of the Castle you will find the Museum of the Sea (Museo del Mar) with modern facilities and differing displays which take you on a
ride through the history of Santa Pola in the archeology and ethnography sections.

The sea is the central theme around which the exhibition is built.

Find out something about the culture of the ancient Iberian population of the town as well as the development of the Portus Illicitanus of Roman times.

MUNICIPAL AQUARIUM

The prime objective of the aquarium is to make visitors aware of the mediterranean environment and the various species, both flora and fauna, which live in it, thus providing an important tool for teaching and informing by allowing the observation of these ecosystems by broad sectors of the public for whom such habitats normally would be inaccessible. Some research work is also carried out.

The new municipal aquarium replaces the older one, which was to be found in one of the rooms within the walls of the Castle. The new location is much better situated and allows the exposure of certain activities to the public which, previously, it was impossible to do. The equipment and facilities have also been improved.

The total area of the facility is 707 square metres and consists of a central hall in which are installed 9 large aquarium tanks, situated round the perimeter, except for one located in the centre. They contain a total volume of 200 cubic metres of sea water, where the visitor may observe many representative samples of the fauna and flora of our coastline; there is an Audio-visual room which can hold 40 people, which is used for the display of videos and the holding of talks and lectures. Finally, there is a small shop in which one may buy various items (guides, posters, videos, books ...).

The design of the grand central Hall (decoration, illumination etc.) and its arrangement allows the visitor, besides being able to wander freely, to feel himself immersed in a submarine environment and observe about one hundred different species which have been able to be acclimatised to the Municpal Aquarium of Santa Pola. Amongst them we can pick out the "musolas" (sharks which are very common around our coasts), "meros" (groupers), "congrios" (conger eels), "doradas", "sargos" (sea bream), "seriolas" , "peces-ballesta" (crossbow fish), etc. And we mustn't forget the amusing turtles and a great variety of marine invertebrates.

Constructed in 1858 on the ruins of the "Atalayola" watchtower, on the extreme east of the cape, it provides an extraordinary panoramic view of the bay and the island of Tabarca.

Its activity started in the 4th century B.C., although in a different location. It has been the witness to important historical events, such as its enlargement in the time of the emperor Augustus, the departure of the muslims from the slums of Elche after their expulsion in 1609 and the visit of the Royal Squadron carrying Alfonso XII in 1877. From the start of the 19th century it has been enlarged several times.

Its main uses are fishing followed by the shipment of salt and leisure sailing. Nearby are located the offices of the Merchant Navy, the fish market (La Lonja) and the port offices (Casa del Mar).