Monte Paraiso - Attractions


	ATTRACTIONS
	Don't Pass La Línea By

La Línea is a comparatively modem town and has its origins in the line of fortifications built by Philip V after the loss of Gibraltar to the English. The ruins of the Santa Bárbara fortress, the last remains of Phílíp V's fortifications, were destroyed by the British during the Spanish War of Independence or Peninsular War(1804-14) to prevent them falling into the hands of the French.

The town is situated on a sandy plain on the shore of the Bay of Algeciras on an isthmus, which runs from the. Sierra Carbonera to Gibraltar. A watch tower exists on the Playa de Levante, which dates back to 1630.

The popular La Atunara area is where the town developed around the fishing quarter, small harbour and church. Much of it is preserved to this day and has many bars and restaurants by the beach specialising in fresh fish dishes.

La Línea is one of the sunniest towns in Spain with almost 3,000 hours of sunshine but thanks to the 74 per cent humidity and constant cool breezes tends not to suffer from extreme heat. The town has undergone much development in recent years and is starting to take its place as one of the region's most popular tourism centres. The tourist office can give you information of tours around La Línea as well as the tourist train.

Places To Visit

Museo Cruz Herrara, Plaza Fariñas. Tel: 95 676 25 76. Art gallery dedicated to the La Línea painter José Cruz Herrara(1890-1972). Has four galleries each with a different theme including Andalucían and Arab works. Monday - Friday 10:00 - 13:00 and 17:00 - 20:00.

Museo del Istmo. Newly opened municipal historical museum with archaeological exhibits and other collections plus visiting exhibitions. Open seven days a week 10:00 - 14:00 and 17:00 - 23:00.

Museo Taurino, Mateo Inurria 2. Tel: 95 676 00 42. A museum dedicated to the art of bullfighting based on pictures and artefacts from the collection of D José Cabrera Duarte. Monday to Friday 10:00 - 13:00 and 17:00 - 19:00.

Torre Almenara and Fuertes de Santa Bárbara y San Felipe. The torre is part of the watch tower system set up to protect the coastline in the 16th century. The Santa Bárbara and San Felipe forts are the remains of the 18th century lines of fortifications. The tourist office has details of a tour of all the town's historic bunkers and fortifications.

Ayuntamiento, Avenida de España. Tel: 95 669 62 00. The town hall is situated in an old villa, which was the former home of the wealthy Saccone family and was adapted for municipal use in 1922. It boasts eclectic architecture and beautiful gardens.

Iglesia Parroquial de la Inmaculada, Plaza de la Iglesia. Tel: 95 676 02 58. Parish church built in the 19th century and dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The interior is in the Baroque style donated by the Duquesa de Parcent at the beginning of the 20th century.

Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Paseo Marítimo de Levante. Tel: 95 664 33 87. The virgin of the fishermen is housed in this old hermitage. The church is built in the popular style of the fishing quarter.

Beaches

The Rock of Gibraltar splits La Línea's two beach zones, which together total around 10 kilometres of coastline. On the east coast facing onto the Mediterranean are the Playa de Levante, Playa Santa Bárbara, Playa de Sobrevela, Playa de Torrenueva, Playa de Santa Clara and the Playa de La Alcaidesa. On the western síde on the Bay of Algeciras is the Playa del Espigón.

Entertainment

Teatro Municipal La Velada, Teatro. Tel: 95 617 27 08. The municipal theatre offers a year-round programme of music, opera, ballet and theatre plus a summer music festival.

Sport

Every August La Línea hosts the 'Trofeo Internacional de Fútbol Ciudad de La Línea' which often includes teams from Britain. La Línea's soccer team plays in the Third Division of the National Spanish League and plays its matches at the municipal stadium. The town also has facilities for swimming, tennis, athletics, petanca and fishing - full details from the tourist office.

Alcaidesa Links Golf Course, Ctra N-340 km 124,6. Tel: 95 679 10 40. Eighteen hole, par 70 course situated between La Línea and San Roque.

Real Club Náutico de La Línea, Avda del Mar 11. Tel: 95 617 10 17. Moorings: 30. Sailing school.

Club Marítimo Linense Puerto Chico, Avda Espana. Tel: 95 617 65 06. Location 36 9´N 5 21´4"W. Moorings: 115.

Linense Tenis Club, Campoamor. Tel: 95 617 62 50.

Local Dishes

The main local dishes are based on seafood and include jibia (cuttlefish) a la brasa, chocos (small cuttlefish) fritos, calamaries (squid) rellenos, sardines (sardines) al espeto, corvine (bass) con guisantes and almejas (clams) de La Atunara. One of the most popular places to eat is the La Atunara fishing village area.

For more detailed information about La Línea de la Concepción contact their excellent municipal tourist office, at Avda Principe de Asturias. Tel: 95 617 19 98. Fax: 95 617 81 32.

For information on the region contact the Andalucían Tourist Office, at Avda 20 de Abril. Tel: 95 676 99 50. Fax: 95 676 72 64.

You'll also find more detailed descriptions, hotel listings, restaurants etc. on the internet at www.straitsnews.com - which will also give you a direct link to Costa del Sol News and Costa Blanca News.