Construction begins on a new retaining wall at Águilas Castle to protect homes from falling rocks

Work on the hillside of Castillo San Juan de las Águilas will improve safety for nearby homes and pedestrians

Work has started on a new protective wall along the hillside of Castillo San Juan de las Águilas, in a project intended to keep both homes and pedestrians safe from falling rocks. The construction began recently, with José Luis Moreno, the local councillor for Infrastructure and Public Works Maintenance, visiting the site to check on progress.

The hillside above Águilas has long been prone to rocks dislodging from the steep slope and falling to the roads below. This project has now become a priority and has a budget of nearly €130,000, fully funded from the town hall’s own reserves, meaning no external loans are needed.

A concrete wall was built on the west side of the hill several years ago. Moreno explained, “It was two metres high and meant to stop falling rocks from hitting nearby buildings. However, on several occasions, large rocks have gone over the wall. This highlighted the need for a stronger, more effective solution with greater capacity to contain rocks.”

The new wall will be 36 metres long and five metres high, built directly against the existing wall. It is designed to withstand impacts from rocks weighing up to 10 tonnes, making the area much safer.
The project also includes filling the back of the wall up to three metres with macadam or ballast stones. This will improve the drainage and help absorb the force of any future rockslides.

The Castillo San Juan de las Águilas itself is an 18th-century fortress perched above the town, with stunning views over the Mediterranean. Its steep slopes have long posed a hazard, making this new wall an important step in keeping the area safe.

Read also: March 15 explore the Cuatro Calas Coastline of Águilas on a free guided walk

Image 1: turismoregiondemurcia.es
Image 2: Águilas Town Hall