Happy birthday El Campello. Today marks a big milestone. On 18 April 1901, it officially separated from Alicante and became its own municipality.
At the time, it was a small fishing settlement with just 2,770 residents. Fast forward 125 years and the town now has more than 32,000 people calling it home.
From small village to seaside staple
Back in 1841, records show just 1,417 people living in the area, spread across 351 homes. Most worked as labourers or farmers, with only a handful of fishermen.
It was a quiet, working place, very different from the busy coastal town you see today.
Things changed steadily over the years. In 1901, with José Ávila Blanes as the first mayor, El Campello began running its own affairs. Since then, 32 mayors and one mayoress have taken their turn shaping the town.
A history that goes way beyond 1901
While the official “birthday” is clear, the story of the area stretches back much further. The archaeological site of La Illeta dels Banyets shows evidence of life here from prehistoric times right through to the Islamic period.
Marking the occasion
To celebrate the 125th anniversary, the town hall, led by Juanjo Berenguer, has plans for events throughout the year.
One project already underway is a “gallery of mayors”, with locals helping track down photos of every mayor since 1901. It sounds simple, but finding pictures from over a century ago is proving a bit of a challenge. Still, the collection is growing.
A town that has moved with the times
Tourism, the development of Muchavista and the expansion of the town centre have all played a part in turning El Campello into one of the key spots in L’Alacantí.
Even so, it has managed to hold on to its roots. You still get that mix of fishing heritage, neighbourhood life and modern coastal living, which is probably why so many people end up staying longer than planned.
