The Torremolinos Town Hall has inaugurated a gazebo that recreates the historic viewpoint of the Castillo del Inglés, in tribute to George Langworthy, a pioneer of tourism on the Costa del Sol. The structure, located on the La Carihuela headland, recaptures the image of a place that hosted personalities such as Dalí and Picasso.
The new gazebo, situated at the viewpoint of the La Carihuela headland, faithfully reproduces the original structure that presided over the gardens of the former Castillo de Santa Clara hotel, known as the Castillo del Inglés. The project has been fully funded by the Torremolinos Town Hall, with a budget of 180,000 euros, and is part of a plan to recover local historical heritage.
A tribute to the 'pound sterling Englishman'
George Langworthy, a Briton who arrived in Torremolinos in the late 19th century, transformed the old Santa Clara fortress into a pioneering accommodation. He was named Adopted and Favoured Son of the city in 1918 and, in 2023, Honorary Tourist, for his human and charitable legacy towards the most needy residents.
The mayor, Margarita del Cid, highlighted during the inauguration that “our commitment is not only to build the future but also to preserve the memory that has brought us here.”
“A town that knows its history is a town that values its identity,” emphasized Del Cid, who highlighted Langworthy's figure as “the British soldier who, unknowingly, paved the way for the origin of paradise.”
Symbolic recovery of the tourism origin
The gazebo, with a dodecagonal shape and pyramid-shaped roof, restores to the La Carihuela headland part of the image that made it a reference point for national and international travellers at the beginning of the 20th century. The structure sits on the same natural balcony that separates La Carihuela from Bajondillo, one of the first places in Spain to offer international accommodation.
Residents and visitors will be able to learn, from this viewpoint, about the evolution of the old Castillo de Santa Clara and its transformation into the emblematic Castillo del Inglés. The Castillo de Santa Clara hotel laid the foundations for the first proper tourist activity in Punta de Torremolinos, hosting figures such as Salvador Dalí, Gala, Pablo Picasso, and Luis Cernuda.
The initiative not only rescues a disappeared architectural element but also values a space of extraordinary historical and landscape importance. The gazebo is conceived as a meeting space between heritage, memory, and identity, contributing to preserving and disseminating one of the most unique chapters in the history of Torremolinos.
For the local residents, the inauguration represents a source of pride and an additional tourist attraction in the municipality. The gazebo adds to the offer of viewpoints and public spaces in La Carihuela, one of the most visited spots on the Costa del Sol, and it is expected to become a reference point for photos and strolls.
The Town Hall encourages residents and tourists to come and enjoy the views and learn about Langworthy's history. The gazebo will remain open to the public 24 hours a day, at no cost, and will be integrated into the municipality's tourist routes.
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