The Museum in Torrevieja is an interesting attraction in the port part of the city.
Few people know that Torrevieja has a museum, and it’s quite unique. The S-61 Delfin submarine is a floating museum located at the quay in the city’s port. This institution is part of the Sea and Salt Museum in Torrevieja.
The submarine, which constitutes the larger and most exciting part of the museum in Torrevieja, is the first and oldest submarine in Spain that has become a floating tourist attraction. In the museum, you will also find the patrol boat Albatros III, the sailboat pailebot Pascual Flores, as well as some scrap in the form of old weapons and maritime equipment.
Floating Museum in Torrevieja, sightseeing and what attractions await you there
I ventured to the Floating Museum in Torrevieja with slight hesitation, as previous accounts from those who had visited suggested that it was nothing special and the world wouldn’t end if I skipped it. However, armed with the lessons of experience, I decided to see it for myself.
It turned out to be a good decision because the museum, although slightly neglected and seemingly unlikely to undergo significant development, proved to be quite fascinating. I believe it will particularly appeal to those who have never had the chance to enter the interior of a submarine and experience the cramped conditions.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit several warships before, such as the USS Intrepid, a museum aircraft carrier docked at the pier in New York. However, most of them were massive machines with not only formidable combat power but also considerable interior space within the hull. In contrast, the S-61 Delfin submarine in Torrevieja is a tight vessel, and I have no idea how over fifty crew members fit inside.
I was fortunate to visit the Floating Museum in Torrevieja during the off-season, when there was literally no one there except for me and a friendly gentleman at the gate. By paying a few euros for admission (the ticket cost 2 euros during my visit), you receive an electronic guide that is user-friendly and contains quite a bit of interesting information.
What to do in La Mata and Torrevieja and how much it costs
- Parasailing experience; Live the unforgettable thrill of parasailing above the beautiful coast around Torrevieja.
- Jet ski tour without a licence; Discover the sandy beaches of the Costa Blanca by water on this jet ski experience. With the help of an instructor, visit beaches El Cura and La Mata, and even enjoy a swim in the coves of Torrevieja.
- Sunset on a boat with cava included; Come to live with us, a wonderful sunset over the sea.
- Book a hotel at a good price and enjoy the beauty of Torrevieja and La Mata.
- Rent a car; The rented car will help you realize travel plans faster and more efficiently.
Albatros III patrol boat from Torrevieja
Following the instructions from the guide, you will come across all the significant places in the museum. The first attraction is the patrol boat moored right next to the submarine, which served in the past as the customs office patrol boat Albatros III.
The unit served the coast guard for 33 years before being transferred to the Sea and Salt Museum in Torrevieja in 2006. As I learned from the museum staff, the boat was nicknamed the customs officers’ guard dog because, much like the mentioned animal, it guarded the Costa Blanca beach against dangers lurking at sea.
On board the boat and in its interior, memorabilia from customs officers who served on board with dedication has been gathered. Upon closer inspection, you will find documents, photos, and trinkets belonging to the crews, as well as numerous traces accumulated over years of service.
The Albatros-class patrol boats were built at the French shipyard S.M.N. in Cherbourg on behalf of Spain. Ultimately, three boats were built. Albatros III was the last of them and entered service in 1972. The patrol boat is just under 33 meters long, over 5 meters wide, with a total displacement of 85 tons. It was powered by two diesel engines from the Mercedes stable and could reach a speed of 30 knots, leaving little chance for smugglers or other clever individuals contemplating a race with the customs officers. The ship was crewed by a team of 15 people.
Dolphin S61 submarine from Torrevieja
The Dolphin-class submarine belonged to the fleet of Spanish submarines used by the navy from 1973 to 2003. The submarine standing at the quay in Torrevieja served at sea valiantly for 30 years, participating in numerous international manoeuvres and exercises.
During its service, the Dolphin S-61 completed over 2,500 voyages and spent 30,000 hours underwater. Over a thousand sailors served on board during this time. At the end of its service, the submarine was the longest-serving underwater unit in the entire history of the Spanish submarine fleet.
The Spanish Navy handed over the submarine to the city of Torrevieja in 2004, with the intention that it would become part of the city’s Sea and Salt Museum. Consequently, the Delfin S-61 became the first floating museum in Spain. The appearance of the submarine at the quay was a significant event in Torrevieja and the entire province of Alicante. Within the first ten years, the museum was visited by over a million tourists.
The Dolphin-class submarines were constructed at the shipyard in Cartagena (province of Murcia) and were designed by French architects and engineers. The submarine standing in Torrevieja was launched in 1972.
The displacement of the Dolphin-class submarine is 860 tons, and when submerged, it exceeds 1000 tons. The submarine has a length of 57 meters, a width of just under 7 meters, and a draft of over 5 meters. It was powered by a diesel-electric system consisting of two diesel engines and two electric motors, capable of propelling the ship at almost 30 kilometres per hour (15 knots). The Delfin could dive to a depth of 300 meters and stay at sea for up to 30 days.
Apart from its espionage and reconnaissance functions, the primary purpose of a submarine is, of course, combat. In this regard, the Dolphin-class submarines had nothing to be ashamed of, especially during their active service. The submarine was equipped with twelve 22-inch torpedo tubes—eight at the bow, two at the stern, and one on each side of the ship’s wings.
The bow torpedo tubes were equipped with powerful torpedoes designed for attacking ships or submarines. On the other hand, the stern tubes contained torpedoes with reduced explosive power, intended for combat with other submarines or for self-defence. An interesting innovation was the ability to install sea mines in the torpedo tubes instead of torpedoes.
One drawback was the lack of the ability to carry reserve torpedoes. The submarine was armed only with what it left the port with and what was in the tubes.
Pailebot sailing ship Pascual Flores from Torrevieja
The sailboat Pascual Flores is another vessel you can see at the Floating Museum in Torrevieja. It is a ship used for transporting salt from the factories on the coast of Torrevieja. It sailed along with many other boats to various ports in the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean.
For hundreds of years, Torrevieja has been associated with the exploitation of sea salt from the surrounding lagoons and marshes. This industry became so important at the end of the 19th century that the Royal Salt Company Administration was moved to Torrevieja and located in the nearby village of La Mata.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Torrevieja’s sailing fleet was the most significant and largest in the Mediterranean Sea. The city had only 6,000 residents at that time but boasted a registered fleet of 200 ships, including 64 sailing pailebots, one of which is now part of the museum in Torrevieja.
Unfortunately, over time, the fleet of sailboats lost its significance, and the beautiful, slender ships began to disappear from maritime ports. This loss of majestic sailboats significantly impacted the charm of the surrounding ports. As you probably know, there’s nothing more beautiful than a ship under full sail.
Pailebots were ships built in the port of Torrevieja until the mid-20th century. Initially, these ships were used to transport fruits from the orchards and plantations of the Costa Blanca. Later, they started carrying salt and small goods to ports in the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Caribbean.
The last pailebots were purchased by a shipowner in England, where their history came to an end. The ship you can see in the museum in Torrevieja was acquired by the City Council of Torrevieja in 1999 and joined the Sea and Salt Museum. Today, it stands as a symbol of sailing and the city’s past glory.
Other attractions in the museum
In addition to the mentioned ships, along the quay, you’ll find some scrap in the form of old weapons, cannons, and dilapidated boats. One of the more interesting exhibits is a combat torpedo extracted from the Dolphin S-61. Additionally, you’ll come across a coastal defence artillery piece, anti-aircraft rifles, a naval mine, and various boats and other floating equipment.
A curiosity among the exhibits is a floating vehicle used for harvesting crystallizing salt on the salty lakes in Torrevieja. Similar machines are still used today for salt extraction.
Floating museum in Torrevieja practical information
The museum on the quay in Torrevieja is open from Wednesday to Sunday. The opening hours are: during summer from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and outside the season from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The entrance fee to the museum is very affordable; during my visit, the ticket cost 2 euros. However, please note that only cash payments are accepted, and cards are not accepted.
As you know, there isn’t much space on boats, especially submarines, and the passages and corridors can be narrow and very low. If you have mobility issues or are not fond of tight spaces, think twice before entering the interior of the submarine. Once you decide to go inside, be mindful of your head, protruding pipes, cables, and steel bulkheads can be real hazards. I, myself, focused on examining the details of the equipment and accidentally bumped my head into metal parts several times.
Moreover, keep in mind that the museum’s opening hours are more of a guideline than a strict rule for its staff, so it’s a good idea to check in advance if the museum will be open during your planned visit. The museum might close, for example, due to strong winds or rain.
After purchasing your ticket, you will receive an audio guide that provides interesting information about the museum and its exhibits. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call the number: 687 520 974.
The museum’s address is: Calle Patricio Perez 10 in Torrevieja.
You can find more information about the city of Torrevieja in our previous article.
The museum may not be large, and some might even say it’s uninteresting and neglected. Well, if you’ve visited other, more prestigious museums before, you may have that impression. However, remember that the museum’s ticket price is only 2 euros, and you’re not travelling to the Costa Blanca specifically to see it. A visit to the Floating Museum in Torrevieja can be a pleasant change from sunbathing on the beach and sipping drinks in nearby restaurants or bars.
Floating museum in Torrevieja facts, information, and curiosities
- The museum was opened in 2004 when the Spanish Navy handed over the Dolphin submarine to the city of Torrevieja.
- At the museum on the quay in Torrevieja, you can see three ships: the Dolphin submarine, the customs patrol boat Albatros III, and the pailebote Pascual Flores.
- The admission ticket to the museum costs only 2 euros, making it one of the cheapest museums around.
- Spanish submarines launched since the 1970s have been named after marine creatures. An example is the Delfin from Torrevieja, as well as other twin units like Foca (sello) and Tiburon (shark).
- During manoeuvres in 1985, the Dolphin submarine accidentally fired a torpedo in the direction of the port of Cartagena.
- The Floating Museum in Torrevieja is part of the Sea and Salt Museum, which I also recommend visiting.
- Interesting cities near Costa Blanca:
- Cullera, located on the Valencia coast, is a resort town known for its beautiful beaches with light and fine sand.
- La Mata is a small town in the south of Spain, located on the Costa Blanca coast.
- San Pedro del Pinatar is a town located on the Costa Calida coast in the province of Murcia, southern Spain.
- Torrevieja is a coastal city and municipality located on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante.
- Attractions near Costa Blanca:
- Bodegas Luzon is one of the oldest and largest vineyards in the Spanish municipality of Jumilla, located in the Region of Murcia.
- Cullera Castle (Castell de Cullera) is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating attractions of the city.
- Dino Park Algar on the Costa Blanca coast, is a land ruled by prehistoric dinosaurs.
- El Palmeral Park in Alicante, a place where you can relax and regain strength.
- L’Oceanogràfic is the Spanish name for the Oceanarium in Valencia, the largest aquarium in Europe, located in the southern part of Spain by the Mediterranean Sea.
- Las Salinas de Torrevieja is an industrial plant that extracts sea salt from a shallow but vast lake in Laguna Salada de Torevieja.
- Natural Park El Fondo, or as the Spanish say, Parque Natural el Hondo, is located in the beautiful region of Valencia, near cities such as Alicante, Valencia, La Mata, Torrevieja.
- Palm Grove of Elche largest palm grove in Europe.
- Rio Safari Elche is a zoo located on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain.
- The Science Museum in Valencia is part of a massive project called the City of Arts and Sciences.
- The goal of our today’s trip is the Valor chocolate factory and museum.
- The Castle of Santa Barbara (Castillo de Santa Barbara), also known as the Alicante Fortress, looms over the city like an unconquerable defender.
- The Church of the Virgin Mary in the Spanish city of Murcia is one of the biggest attractions of the city and an undeniable symbol of it.
- The Naval Museum in Cartagena is a fascinating attraction in the city that anyone with even a slight interest in European history
- The Museum in Torrevieja is an interesting attraction in the port part of the city.
- The Ducal Palace of Gandia is a tourist attraction in the city and a fascinating monument worth visiting during your stay on the Costa Blanca in Spain.
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