Santa Pola - History

History

The first settlements in the area remount to the third millennium BC, proof of which have been tools and paintings from the Neolithic found in the Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassí, as well as remains found from hunter-gatherers of the Palaeolithic in the Cueva de las Teresitas. During the fourth century BC a small walled settlement was built near Vanalopó river. This served mainly as a Greek-Iberia economical hub. During the first century AC, near the former site a port was built, serving the city of Illici, named Portus Illicitanus (cited by Claudio Ptolomeo in Civitates Mediterraneae). This port proved paramount for the development of the region's maritime commerce, together with Cartagena's. In 460 AC, emperor Mayoriano's flotilla set sail to attack north African vandals, but was burnt at that same port. From the Roman settlement a necropolis is still in place, as well as a fish-salting factory and the Roman House of Palmeral. Their remains are described as back as 1621 by Cristòfol Sanz, although they were excavated during the 20th century.