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Number of Inhabitants:
21.418 (2018)
Pilar's Motto:
Sea and Mountains
Flag:
Watch:
Video Pilar
To Pilar de la Horadada belong:
Location: Coast
Airport: 40 km (Murcia)
Torrevieja: 20 km
In a nutshell:
The municipality of Pilar de la Horadada is located at the southernmost tip of the province of Valencia. After Pilar the Costa Blanca ends and the Costa Cálida begins. Pilar is one of the youngest municipalities on the Costa Blanca and acquired an independent status in 1986. Her administrative responsibility also includes: Mil Palmeras, Torre de la Horadada, Pinar de Campoverde and El Mojón.
In recent decades, the municipality has had a great attraction for foreigners who want to spend their holidays or buy a home. That is understandable. The mix that Pilar offers visitors is irresistible to many. This mix includes: a sunny climate, many beautiful beaches, a hinterland full of natural beauty, a rich history with relics from Iberian, Roman and Arab times, a sense of tradition that is expressed in a series of annual fiestas and a wide range of sports activities .
The coastline of Pilar extends for more than four kilometers and has several beaches with fine sand. Some beaches stretch for longer and others are in sheltered coves. Thanks to the gradual decline of the beach, it is safe for the whole family to swim. Thanks in part to the crystal clear water, Pilar's beaches annually receive flags for safety (blue flag) and quality (qualitur flag). The Playa de las Villas and the Playa de Mil Palmeras are also renowned for their good accessibility for the disabled and a range of additional facilities.
Naturally, the beaches are also ideally suited for a range of water sports activities. The marina in Torre de la Horadada has easily accessible facilities for mooring sports and recreational vessels. Various water sports can be tried out in the sailing club.
During the weekends in the autumn and winter months, free activities are offered on the beaches of Mil Palmeras and Playa del Rio. This Hibernis Mare program includes a variety of sports and cultural activities for the whole family.
Almost every month of the year there is a party somewhere on the territory of Pilar. Some of these are annually on the calendar all over Spain, such as the Three Kings parade (January), Easter week (March or April) with a series of processions celebrating the last week of Jesus' life and activities around Christmas.
The first major local festival is that of San Isidro Labrador. This patron saint of agricultural workers takes center stage on May 15. The main aspect of the celebration is a kilometer-long Romería (procession) through the community. Participants walk or go in horse and carriage through Pilar.
The Feast of Secession is scheduled for July 30. With a series of celebrations, the residents reflect on the fact that Pilar became independent from Orihuela.
Assumption of Mary is celebrated in an unusual way around 15 August. An effigy of the Virgin Mary is transported from Torre de la Horadada in a procession by fishing boats. A flower offering is then made at sea.
The main feast is that of the Virgin of Pilar. The festivities in honor of the local patron saint last a week from October 12. The highlight is a procession with elaborately decorated floats.
Anyone interested in the broad outlines of Pilar's distant past can find countless leads. The most curious one can without a doubt be seen on the beach of Mil Palmeras. The strange rock forms at the southern tip of the beach where the Rio Seco meets the Mediterranean Sea are the remains of an ancient Roman quarry. In the 1st and 2nd century BC the Romans won the stones for their many construction projects along the coast. Initially, the bizarre collection of stones was thought to be evidence of ancient ponds intended for fishing purposes. Archaeologists have since denied that statement.
A much more obvious relic of the past is the watchtower at Torre de la Horadada. For a long time, this building from 1591 at the Playa del Conde served as a warning post for attacks from Berber pirates from the sea. For a long time, these regular raids kept the local population in a terrifying stranglehold.
The place where history can be traced more chronologically is the archaeological museum in the Casa de la Cultura. The museum houses many tangible evidences from Pilar de la Horada through the centuries, even exhibiting finds from before Roman times.
The official motto of Pilar de la Horadada is: sea and mountains. Although the pleasures of the beaches are automatically associated with Pilar, the municipality just behind the inhabited coastline does offer beautiful nature.
The Sierra de Escalona is a slightly hilly nature reserve that lies somewhat inland from inhabited Pilar. The strip of nature is also located on the territory of San Miguel de Salinas and Orihuela.
This sierra has an enormous diversity of flora and fauna including the endangered genet cat. Due to its gently sloping nature, it is ideal for easy walks. A popular walk is along the dried-up riverbed of the Rio Seco (dry river). During two well-signposted routes of 4 and 10 kilometers, you will come across jagged rocks.
Since 2014, the natural park of las Lagunas de lo Monte has existed where many migrating birds can be observed from special lookouts.
For more detailed information about these three nature topics, click on the left side under 'In a nutshell'
Sports enthusiasts have a wide range of activities to choose from. Golf enthusiasts can visit the beautiful Lo Romero golf course. In addition, there are several other courses to play in the immediate vicinity. Other facilities focus on football, tennis, paddle tennis, a heated pool, a running track and a challenging climbing wall. In the indoor sports center you can swim or practice the local variation on bowls.
Over the years, the city council has also realized an extensive network of special cycling and jogging routes. And back at the beach you can of course also practice a range of different water sports.
