The Centro de Interpretación Francisco Rabal in Aguilas

An exhibition space devoted to the life and work of actor Paco Rabal, one of Águilas’s favourite sons

The Centro de Interpretación Francisco Rabal is a public space created on the first floor of the Casa de la Cultura in Águilas with the general aim of tracing the life story and career of the man after whom it is named.

Designed by Javier Esquiva and occupying 159 square metres of floor space, the venue contains displays and objects of interest divided into two main sections: "Paco Rabal, the man " y "Paco Rabal, the actor", making it easier to appreciate the two sides of his character while at the same time understanding the inevitable factors they have in common.

Paco Rabal was born in the humble setting of the tiny Águilas village of Cuesta de Gos in 1926 and went on to become one of Spain’s best-loved actors. He appeared in around 200 films working with directors including Francesc Rovira-Beleta, Luis Buñuel, Carlos Saura, Pedro Almodóvar, William Friedkin, Michelangelo Antonioni, Claude Chabrol and Luchino Visconti, and also won international recognition, winning the Award for Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for Los Santos Inocentes.

It is said that when William Friedkin was preparing to make The French Connection in 1971 he initially thought of Rabal for the role of the French villain, but he was unable to remember the name of "that Spanish actor". Unfortunately, his staff hired Fernando Rey instead, and when it was established that Paco Rabal spoke neither English nor French the decision was made to stick with the choice of Rey.

The Centro de Interpretación Francisco Rabal is open on weekdays from 10.15 to 14.00 and from 16.15 to 20.00, and on Saturday from 10.15 to 14.00. Admission is free of charge and the last visitors are allowed entry 15 minutes before closing time.

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