Bateria de Castillitos fortifications on the Costa Calida

Battery de Castillitos is another abandoned fortification on Spain’s southern coast, after the Cenizas Battery. Its military history is fascinating, and the old barracks and heavy artillery are fascinating, but its most valuable asset is the incredible views of the nearby Bay of Cartagena and the surrounding hills. In the article below, I’ll briefly tell you the history of the Battery de Castillitosand explain why it’s worth a visit.

Battery de Castillitos—Practical information useful when planning a trip

Battery de Castillitos is located on Cape Tinoso, near Cartagena. To reach it, follow the RME23 road towards Campillos de Adentro and the Cago Tinoso lighthouse.

Unlike the previously described abandoned military base, Bateria de Cenizas, you can drive almost to the base and set off on one of several trails. If you’re visiting during the week outside summer, I recommend stopping at the last car park right by the gate leading to the base. However, if you arrive with a crowd of tourists, park your car in one of the car parks you pass by. If you can find a spot, the higher up will be even worse.

Once you manage to reach the final car park and park your car, the massive cannons are only a few hundred meters away. Unless you decide to explore further fortifications and artillery points, in which case you’ll only have a few kilometres to walk. The route is effortless and pleasant, even if you’re not experienced in long-distance walking. Carrying a stroller or wheelchair is also no problem. The views of the sea below will compensate for every drop of sweat you shed along the way.

If you choose the longest route, the one leading to the very tip of the peninsula, the hike will take you about two hours. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, water, and snacks. If you’re there in summer, be sure to bring a hat; the area is open, and shade is scarce.

Bateria de Castillitos we visit the old military base

The path leading from the parking area to Batería de Castillitos is simple and comfortable, so the walk is quick and easy. Only the breathtaking views of the Bay of Cartagena and the surrounding hills are likely to make you stop for a while. On the other side, the Mediterranean Sea stretches endlessly to the horizon — a truly spectacular sight, especially in the afternoon when the sun begins to set.

The first remnants of the old base appear after just a few hundred meters — old barracks and passages hidden in the rocks. If you have some extra time and don’t mind climbing over stones, it’s worth wandering around. You’ll come across many mysterious and fascinating spots, all accompanied by stunning views of the sea and the bay — absolutely unforgettable.

The previous artillery post, which I described in my last article, was built in a Mesoamerican style. Its architects were inspired by the famous Maya-Toltec Temple of the Warriors. Batería de Castillitos, however, looks like a medieval castle perched high on a mountain. The impression is truly incredible — towers and turrets rising from the rocks are something you would never expect from a century-old military structure. We concluded that this particular style was chosen deliberately — to disguise the base’s military function. From the sea, the complex could easily be mistaken for the ruins of an ancient fortress.

At this point, you can choose between two routes. The first one goes right, leading to two enormous cannons embedded in the rocks. The second takes you to another artillery post, much older and less impressive, but located at the very end of the Tiñoso Peninsula. Both routes are fascinating, and since we had already made it this far, we decided to explore them both — something I definitely don’t regret and highly recommend you do as well.

The castle-like structure to the right is a true fortress full of corridors, hidden corners, towers, and bastions. You can freely wander almost everywhere. The top of the fortifications stands so high that you can see both the bay to your left and the open sea to your right. Walking along the ramparts brings you to the platforms where the gigantic Vickers cannons are mounted. These models, built in 1929, could fire shells weighing nearly a ton over a distance of 35 kilometers — so, as you can imagine, few captains dared to bring their ships within range of these monsters. In fact, according to historical records, the guns were fired only once, in 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, at a submarine on the surface.

Around the guns, you’ll find numerous technical rooms — cleverly concealed observation posts, engine rooms, ammunition and gunpowder storage areas, as well as loading chambers and workshops. On the lowest level of the base stands a gate that looks exactly like the entrance to a medieval castle — the only thing missing is a moat and a drawbridge.

The second path mentioned earlier leads to more parts of the base, including barracks and warehouses. At the end of the trail lies the Joel Battery, smaller and less significant, designed for short-range, more precise artillery fire. The guns here are modest in comparison to the main ones, but still impressive. The view from this spot is equally stunning — and on a clear day, you can see the cranes of Cartagena’s port and even the twin fortress of Batería de Cenizas on the opposite side of the bay.

As you walk across the peninsula, take a moment to notice the wonderful flora and fauna that appear out of nowhere. At one point, a small herd of mountain goats suddenly leapt out from right under our feet — they’ve made their home on the steep cliffs surrounding the base. The air is filled with the fragrance of lavender and rosemary, and the area is dotted with palm trees, Aleppo pines, and plant species unique to this region of Spain.

Don’t forget you can bring some food and enjoy a picnic in designated areas. A simple sandwich never tastes as good as it does with a view like this. We also brought coffee in a thermos and sipped it while sitting on one of the gun barrels. Batería de Castillitos is truly a place worth visiting — we had an amazing time and are certain we’ll return again someday.

Bateria de Castillitos the history of the old military base

Batería de Castillitos was built and entered service in 1936, following a plan developed under the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera to strengthen the fortifications along Spain’s southern coast. The artillery post was equipped with two enormous guns manufactured by the British company Vickers-Armstrong. Each of these fifteen-inch monsters could fire shells weighing nearly a ton over a distance of 35 kilometers. The battery’s mission was to defend the Bay of Cartagena, working in coordination with its twin fortress, Batería de Cenizas, located on the opposite side of the bay. Throughout its years of service, the giant cannons were fired only once — in 1937, against enemy forces.

The outbreak of World War II brought rapid advancements in military technology — in artillery, aviation, and naval warfare. These developments soon rendered Batería de Castillitos obsolete. For a few years, the site was used to test modern devices such as rangefinders and graphometers, designed to improve artillery precision, but eventually, these experiments were abandoned. The coastal defense system near Cartagena was left behind in favor of newer defense technologies, including missile systems and air power.

Thanks to the efforts of many individuals and organizations, Spain’s Minister of the Environment, in cooperation with the Spanish Army (the owner of the base), authorized the restoration of the site and its reopening to the public. Since 2009, visitors have been able to safely explore the remains of this once-mighty fortress on the coast of Cartagena — and I wholeheartedly recommend you do the same.

A few words at the end of the expedition

It’s well worth combining your visit to Batería de Castillitos with a tour of other coastal bases and batteries located along this stretch of the Spanish coastline. To this day, eighteen coastal batteries have been preserved, scattered along the shore from Costa Blanca to Costa de Almería. These batteries and their associated bases vary in design, and most of them still feature their original artillery pieces. The oldest date back to the 18th century, while the most recent were built in the early 20th century. Nowadays, these structures are open to visitors and only serve minor military purposes — mainly as radar stations or light projection points for anti-aircraft defense.

Once again, I warmly encourage you to take a trip along the Spanish coast — if only to appreciate the immense effort and resources that were once invested in protecting the country from enemy forces. Military history enthusiasts will find this journey especially rewarding, while everyone else can enjoy the breathtaking views that make the experience unforgettable.

Bateria de Castillitos facts, information, and curiosities

The name “Castillitos” comes from the complex’s appearance—the facade and architectural elements imitate a medieval castle with turrets and defensive walls.
Its actual function was as a coastal artillery battery—a defensive position with cannons intended to defend Cartagena Bay.
It was built between 1933 and 1936, following an earlier design from 1926, as part of a program to strengthen coastal defences.
It is located approximately 250 meters above sea level on the slopes of Cabo Tiñoso.
It was armed with two powerful British Vickers/Armstrong guns (caliber 38.1 cm, or 381 mm), model 38.1/45 cm (15 cal).
These guns had a range of approximately 35 kilometres and could fire a projectile weighing almost a ton.
The battery’s architecture was designed to be camouflaged – partially carved into the rock or imitating the texture of the rock to make it less visible of the sea.
After the end of the Spanish Civil War, the battery remained active until 1994.
In 1997, it was officially recognized as a “Bien de Interés Cultural” (BIC) – an element of Spain’s cultural heritage.
Restoration work was carried out in 2009–2010 to open it to the public.
The location was strategically crucial – the battery was intended to cover the entrance to Cartagena Bay and the naval base, and also to cooperate with another battery (Batería de Cenizas on Cabo Negrete) to create crossfire.
Despite their immense capabilities, these guns were essentially used in combat only once – during the Spanish Civil War in 1937 against the Francoist fleet.
The architectural style is a blend of historicism with influences from eclecticism and modernism – this is evident in the facade and decorations of the battery.
Today, this place is very popular with military enthusiasts, history buffs, photography enthusiasts, and hikers – thanks to its spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and the bay.
There is parking at the entrance to the battery, but the complex itself requires a walk of approximately 800 meters uphill along a gravel road.
The interiors contain, among other things, machine rooms, gunpowder magazines, tunnels, and bunkers – all integrated into the rock and defensive structure.
From above, the panorama is spectacular – you can see cliffs, precipices, the sea, and the outline of the coast between the Bay of Cartagena and Mazarrón.
Interesting fact: the purchase specifications for the Vickers 381/45 gun included a clause stating that it could not be installed in a position from which Gibraltar could be shelled. Although it is unknown whether this applies to this battery, but the guns in question are of the same type.
Although the battery was decommissioned in 1994, it was neglected for years—the infrastructure began to deteriorate before restoration began.
The location within the natural park (Parque Natural de la Sierra de la Muela, Cabo Tiñoso y Roldán) makes this site not only a military site but also a natural one—the surroundings of beautiful nature, cliffs, and the sea give it a unique character.