The City Council of Torrevieja has unanimously approved plans to begin the process of building a monument in memory of the victims of the devastating bombing of 25 August 1938, one of the darkest episodes in the city’s history during the Spanish Civil War.
The agreement, backed by all political groups, marks a significant step in recognising the victims of the air raid carried out by fascist Italian aviation and reinforces the municipality’s commitment to historical memory, democratic values, and collective remembrance.
A Space for Memory, Respect and Unity
The future monument is intended to serve as a place of reflection and remembrance for residents, while also standing as a symbol of freedom, coexistence, and democratic principles.
Mayor Eduardo Dolón highlighted the rare political consensus behind the initiative, stressing that the unanimous decision reflects a shared respect for the city’s past and those who suffered during the attack.
“Today is about recognising the victims of the bombing with the respect and dignity this tragic chapter of our history deserves,” he said, thanking all political representatives for setting aside differences in favour of unity.
Local Artist to Lead Memorial Design
As part of the agreement, the council will move forward with commissioning the monument from local sculptor Rafael Torres, based on preliminary designs already presented to municipal spokespersons. The project continues a commitment first established by the council in 2019 to create a lasting tribute to the victims.
Key Role Recognised in Project Coordination
Special recognition has been given to José Manuel Martínez Andreu for his role in coordinating the initiative. Mayor Dolón publicly thanked him for his dedication, noting that his involvement has been crucial in ensuring the project moves forward with “rigour and dignity.”
Looking to the Past to Shape the Future
City officials insist that remembering such events is essential not only to honour those affected but also to learn from history and promote a more just and peaceful future.
The planned monument is expected to stand as a lasting reminder of the human cost of conflict and a call for reflection at a time when war continues to impact communities around the world.
25 August 1938: The Bombing of Torrevieja
At 10:00 a.m. on 25 August 1938, Torrevieja was subjected to a devastating aerial bombardment during the Spanish Civil War.
The attack was carried out by five Savoia-Marchetti S-79 aircraft from the Italian Eighth Division, based in Son San Joan (Mallorca) in support of Francoist forces. In a matter of minutes, the planes dropped more than 60 bombs over the city—40 high-explosive torpedo bombs weighing 100 kilograms each and 20 incendiary devices of 20 kilograms.
The assault left 19 people dead and 45 injured. Of the wounded, around 25 were civilians, while the remaining victims were military personnel from outside the city. The bombing also caused widespread destruction, damaging at least 25 homes and severely impacting large parts of the urban area.
The port and its surroundings suffered the most extensive damage. Several bombs fell into the sea, some failing to detonate, while others sank vessels anchored in the harbour, including the motor-sailing ship Francisco Vera García and a number of smaller boats.
At the time of the attack, Torrevieja was effectively an open city, with no anti-aircraft defences in place. Historians have since characterised the raid as indiscriminate, targeting the civilian population without any clear military objective. The bombing was carried out at a relatively low altitude of approximately 3,000 metres, increasing its destructive impact.
A City Repeatedly Targeted
Torrevieja endured a total of eight bombings during the war. These included a double raid in 1936, another attack in 1937 that caused no significant damage, two daytime bombings in 1938 (on 25 August and 5 September), as well as two additional night raids that same year and a further attack in 1939.
The events of 25 August 1938 remain one of the most tragic chapters in the city’s history, symbolising the vulnerability of civilian populations during wartime and the lasting impact of aerial conflict.
