Natural spaces

MIRADOR GOLA DEL ESTACIO

MIRADOR GOLA DEL ESTACIO

The Estacio is an outcrop of sandstone rocks with a height of approximately 2.29 meters, extending from the sandy bar of La Manga towards the Mediterranean…
The Estacio is an outcrop of sandstone rocks with a height of approximately 2.29 meters, extending from the sandy bar of La Manga towards the Mediterranean over a length of about 40 meters. At its end, the well-known Estacio Lighthouse was built in 1862. Adjacent to the rock is the "gola", a natural channel connecting the waters of the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean, serving as a passage for the spawning and breeding of fish in the Mar Menor. Over time, the channel has been dredged and artifificially modified to provide a uniform depth, facilitating the navigation of vessels. The most significant transformations took place from 1973 onwards, giving it a depth of 4 meters and a width of 39 meters. This viewpoint is located right next to the drawbridge, and when it is raised, it allows the observation of the transit of boats entering or leaving the Mar Menor towards the Mediterranean. To overcome the road crossing of the gola, a rotating bridge was constructed using a rotation system that allowed the passage of taller vessels. In 2004, this bridge was replaced by the current one, designed by engineer Javier Manteroal Amisen. Comprising two pivoting sections, two traffic lanes, and a length of 60 meters, it periodically facilitates the passage of vessels meeting depth requirements. When the bridge is open, it offers a complete view of the channel, symbolically representing the gateway to the Mar Menor.