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San Javier to boost its underwater archaeology profile
Sites such as the Phoenician wreck of Bajo de la Campana illustrate the 2500-year history of San Javier
Ever keen to make the most of the varied attractions and interesting features of the municipality, the Town Hall of San Javier has stated its intention to make the area a major venue for events and activities related to underwater archaeology.
This is due in large part to the numerous historic wrecks which have been found in the Mar Menor and off the Mediterranean coast of La Manga, among which are the four ancient vessels found at the site of “Bajo de la Campana”, close to Isla Grosa and La Manga. The largest of these is the wreck of a Phoenician ship which is believed to have exceeded 20 metres in length, the largest ever found on the Murcia coastline.
This ship was built in the 7th century BC and when it sank was carrying a large quantity of raw materials together with interesting trade goods, yielding valuable archaeological evidence about the trading activities of the Phoenician trading merchants. Among the items recovered are 13 elephant tusks bearing inscriptions in the Phoenician alphabet, some of which are now on display in the ARQUA museum in Cartagena, and other artifacts including an impressive stone anchor, ingots of tin and copper, innumerable pieces of galena (a mineral which often includes silver) and a selection of ceramic material.
In addition, other objects which have come to light include pine nuts, a carved stone pedestal, an ivory knife handle, wooden combs, and a piece of bronze which appears to have formed part of a bed.
As for the efforts to place San Javier even more firmly on the map of underwater archaeologists, Councillor Estíbaliz Masegosa explains that a report on the possibilities has been compiled by archaeologist and heritage manager Miguel San Nicolás del Toro, and that the thinking is that the wrecks in the municipality can become “a unique tourism and cultural resource with great potential for science, historical heritage and educational purposes”.
One idea is to establish an artificial reef and underwater museum close to Isla Grosa (which is two miles offshore from the north of La Manga in the Mediterranean), highlighting the local history which can be traced back to more than 2,500 years ago. In addition, the small headland of Pudrimel in the north of La Manga has yielded wrecks containing Roman and Carthaginian/Phoenician artifacts, and it is proposed that San Javier be included in the prestigious “Route of the Phoenicians”, a Council of Europe initiative based on the main Phoenician trading routes in the Mediterranean.
For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist offices of San Javier (main contact number 661 572285) or go to the home page of San Javier Today.
Address
Calle Padre Juan. Centro Cultural Principe de Asturias 30720 SAN JAVIERTel: 968 571 704
Oficina de Turismo de San Javier
The municipality of San Javier has three main offices giving tourist information to visitors, as well as two information points. The tourist offices are located in Santiago de la Ribera, on the ground floor of the town hall in San Javier and at the start of La Manga. There is also a summer tourist information point located on the seafront in Santiago de la Ribera as well as one at kilometre 12-13 of La Manga del Mar Menor next to Playa Mistral.
Due to its location on the fringes of the Mar Menor and Mediterranean, San Javier has a period of intense summer tourism activity during the peak summer months, although it is popular with retirees of all nationalities out of peak season.
Tickets for the annual San Javier Jazz Festival can be purchased at the Festival office in San Javier Town Hall, Plaza de España.
Timetables summer 2024:
Tourist office Santiago de la Ribera (Calle Padre Juan 30720, Santiago de la Ribera)
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Telephone: 661 572285
Email: turismo@sanjavier.es
La Manga del Mar Menor (Gran Vía Km. 0 30380, La Manga del Mar Menor):
May 1 to September 30:
Weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.00
Telephone 968 128955 ext. 2
Tourist information point of San Javier (Plaza de España, 30730 San Javier):
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00
968 573 700 ext #5351
Email: concejaliadeturismo@sanjavier.es
Tourist information point of Santiago de la Ribera (Paseo Colón on the seafront)
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Tourist information point of La Manga del Mar Menor (Playa Mistral, km 12)
Weekdays 11.00 to 18.00
Weekends and public holidays 11.00 to 14.00
