The Town Hall of Torremolinos has inaugurated a gazebo at Punta de Torremolinos in memory of George Langworthy, promoter of the historic Castillo de Santa Clara hotel.
The Town Hall of Torremolinos has revived a symbol of the origins of tourism on the Costa del Sol. This Wednesday, a gazebo was inaugurated at Punta de Torremolinos, the natural balcony between La Carihuela and El Bajondillo, which pays tribute to George Langworthy, known as 'the Englishman of the peseta'. The structure replicates the one that presided over the gardens of the Castillo de Santa Clara, the pioneering hotel that hosted figures such as Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso.
A tribute to 'the Englishman of the peseta'
Langworthy, a British military man who arrived at the end of the 19th century, transformed an old fortress into the Castillo del Inglés, considered one of the first tourist accommodations in the province. His charitable work with the most needy locals earned him the title of Adopted and Favoured Son of Torremolinos in 1918, and Honourable Tourist in 2023.
The mayor, Margarita del Cid, presided over the event alongside the Andalusian Government delegate in Málaga, Patricia Navarro, and the Tourism delegate, Carlos García. “A town that knows its history is a town that values its identity,” highlighted Del Cid, who emphasised that Langworthy “marked the path of the origin of paradise.”
“Our commitment is not only to build the future but also to preserve the memory that has brought us here,” the mayor pointed out.
A gazebo with views of the Mediterranean
The new structure is shaped like a dodecagon, with pillars at each vertex and a pyramidal roof, all constructed from corten steel. It is located in the same place where the original gazebo stood, offering panoramic views of the sea. The total investment has been 62,230.91 euros, partly financed by the MUNITUR grant line from the Junta de Andalucía.
Patricia Navarro reaffirmed the Andalusian Government's commitment to tourism, “an essential source of wealth for the province of Málaga.” She highlighted plans for tourist municipalities that “contribute to continue building the future through spaces filled with symbolism.”
Memory and identity for locals and visitors
The gazebo is conceived as a meeting point between heritage and identity. From this balcony to the Mediterranean, locals and tourists will be able to learn about the evolution of the Castillo de Santa Clara and its role in the origins of tourism on the Costa del Sol. The recovery of this disappeared architectural element restores to the tip of La Carihuela part of the image that made it a reference point at the beginning of the 20th century.
The initiative seeks to preserve the memory of a key figure in local history. Langworthy not only promoted tourism but also left a legacy of support for the less fortunate. Now, his figure is immortalised in a space that invites reflection and enjoyment of the landscape.
The gazebo is already open to the public and is expected to become a new tourist attraction in Torremolinos, complementing the offer of beaches and leisure. Interested visitors can freely visit it at Punta de Torremolinos, a site that separates two of the municipality's most emblematic beaches.
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