Dive into history: Santa Pola’s Museum of the Sea

If you enjoy anything connected to the sea, Santa Pola offers a small but fascinating Museum of the Sea, that is well worth a visit.

Known as the Museo del Mar, it began life in 1981 when the local council set out to create a space dedicated to archaeology, fishing and marine life. The council chose the historic Santa Pola Fortress Castle as its home.

Two years later, in 1983, the museum opened its first exhibition rooms to the public. These early displays focused on traditional fishing methods, marine species and archaeology. By 2023, the museum marked its 40th anniversary as one of Santa Pola’s most important cultural attractions.

From the outset, the project included a saltwater aquarium, the first of its kind in the Valencian region. The aquarium showcased marine species from the nearby coast and helped visitors understand local fishing traditions. At first, it occupied five rooms inside the castle, along with a small laboratory and a dedicated quarantine area.

Museum of the Sea: Historical links

In 1992, the museum updated and reopened the castle’s exhibition areas. The decision to keep both the museum and aquarium within the castle reflected a strong historical link. Santa Pola’s seafaring community had long ties to the building, which served not only as a fortress but also as a place of worship and social gathering, thanks in part to the nearby chapel.

The aquarium always aimed to go beyond simple display. Its founders designed it as a centre for education and research, with a focus on marine life and fishing culture. Local fishermen supported the project by donating many of the species still on view today.

In 1996, the aquarium moved to its current location near the castle and beside the fishing port. The modern facility now covers more than 700 square metres and features nine large tanks filled with Mediterranean marine life. A spacious central tank allows visitors to walk around it, while surrounding tanks create the feeling of being immersed in the sea.

The most recent major update came in 2010, when the aquarium became physically linked to the museum’s outdoor exhibit, a full-size fishing boat called Esteban González. Inside, visitors can also use an audiovisual room that screens short films about marine life and the history of fishing in Santa Pola. The museum uses this space for talks and temporary exhibitions.