article_detail
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE WITH US

  • Home
  • Spanish News
  • Covid 19
  • Property News
  • Motoring
    & Travel
    • All Motoring & Travel News
    • Driving In Spain
    • Spanish Motoring Laws
  • lifestyle
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Art & Culture
EDITIONS: Murcia Today Alicante Today Andalucia Today
article_detail

La Gola de Marchamalo in La Manga


A manmade canal between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean

La Gola de Marchamalo in La Manga

The 22-kilometre strip of land known as La Manga is punctuated by five “golas” or canals, the southernmost of which is the only one to be entirely manmade and lies near to the main entrance of what is known as “the La Gola de Marchamalo in La MangaLa Manga strip” by tourists and simply La Manga by those who live there. This is the Gola de Marchamalo, and while in the past it was used for the “encañizada” fishing technique, like the other Golas, today its main functions are to allow the water level in the Mar Menor to remain level with that of the Mediterranean and to allow the transit of fish and small boats.

La Gola de Marchamalo in La MangaThe issue of water level in the Mar Menor is an important one. In times of heavy rainfall it can become swollen and rise above the Mediterranean, and at the same time the shallow water evaporates quickly and causes the high salinity of the water which brings about the migration of some fish species. It is this migration which favoured the development of encañizada fishing through the other Golas during the La Gola de Marchamalo in La Mangaperiod when the Region of Murcia was under Moorish rule, a period which lasted 500 years from 711 to 1243, although many Moorish inhabitants remained in the area for a further 250 years after Christian forces from Castile y León conquered Murcia. Encañizada is a fishing technique which, to explain it in its most simple terms, involved driving canes (cañas)into the mud to create almost maze-like structures along which fish heading in one direction would swim and then be unable to exit as they hit a dead-end and found themselves trapped.

However, the Gola de Marchamalo dates from over 500 years after the Reconquista of Murcia from the Moors in 1243. In 1762 the licence to build it was granted to the Real Hospital de la Caridad in Cartagena precisely La Gola de Marchamalo in La Mangaso that encañizada structures could be set up here in this channel, close to Cartagena city. When the urban development of La Manga began in the second half of the 20th century, though, fishing activity was quickly curtailed – the last nets were removed in the 1980s - and a permanent bridge was built over the Gola to replace the rickety structure which previously existed.

La Gola de Marchamalo in La MangaIn the wake of the bridge came the building work which now makes La Manga visible from dozens of kilometres away on the other side of Cartagena, and apart from the large apartment blocks in the area another development was the creation of the first marina, now home to the Club Náutico La Isleta. ( see two old images showing the first development in the area.)

La Gola de Marchamalo in La MangaThe Gola de Marchamalo is currently so shallow that only canoes and the smallest of boats can pass through, and the fact that it is artificial means that dredging is frequently necessary. The last major dredging took place in 2011. The bridge is also too low for sailboats to use the canal, and as a result there is barely any maritime traffic along the canal.

For many years small boats were moored in the Gola, but the Department of the Environment finally legislated to have them removed in 2011 and they are no longer a feature in the canal.
Click for map, Gola de Marchamalo La Manga
 


article_detail

Mar Menor, things to do
7 of the spookiest haunts in the..

Locations to send chills down your spine even in the heat of the Costa Cálida summer! The Region of Murcia is renowned..

5 days out with a difference in the Region of Murcia!
La Manga Adventure Golf fun for all the family near to Playa..
Five spectacular sunsets to admire in the Region of Murcia!
Property Mar Menor area
Work will finally begin to demolish..

It is hoped that by the new year, the ugly ‘ghost building’ will finally be gone, 50 years after construction on..

Book now for attractive autumn and winter offers at La Quinta..
Micasamo is expanding its range of services to include property..
Tucasamo: the short-term holiday rental company on the Costa..
History and local information
New bus routes in the Cartagena..

There are now buses connecting Cartagena, La Manga, Torre Pacheco and Los Alcázares The new bus system came into..

Introduction to La Manga del Mar Menor
La Gola de Marchamalo in La Manga
Marchamalo and Amoladeras nature reserves in Cabo de Palos
Shopping and markets
Weekly street markets in San Javier..

Regular markets throughout the municipality Spanish street markets are a great way to pick up some amazing bargains..

Leroy Merlin stores in the Region of Murcia: huge range of home..
Weekly markets in the municipality of Cartagena
Local services, facilities
Colina del Emperador boutique..

A stylish, friendly and truly unique hotel situated in the heart of La Manga Colina del Emperador is a unique hotel experience..

A Time 4 A Change second-hand furniture sales and purchases..
Free unwanted furniture collection service in San Javier
The Puente del Estacio bascule bridge in La Manga del Mar Menor..
Tourist Information Offices
La Manga del Mar Menor Tourist..

Tourist information office and tourism services La Manga del Mar Menor Tourist Office See below for information about..

Marchamalo and Amoladeras nature reserves in Cabo de Palos
Tourist information offices in San Javier
Medical and Doctors information
Understanding the Funeral Process..

In Spain, it is the norm to plan ahead for your funeral. It’s all part of making things easier for the family and..

La Manga del Mar Menor pharmacies
La Manga del Mar Menor doctor's surgeries and private clinics..
Health Centres and Doctors surgeries, Cartagena municipality
Where to Eat La Manga Strip
Gluten-free meals and a special..

La Solana is the onsite restaurant at the prestigious La Quinta Club in La Manga Club La Solana Bar and Restaurant at La..

Authentic Indian and Asian food in Los Alcazares from Currys
Full English Breakfast at La Manga Adventure Golf
Caldero, the chief culinary speciality of Cabo de Palos and..
article_detail
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 / Office 968 018 268
Direct Payment | Terms And Conditons | Privacy Policy | Legal | About Us | Advertise With Us


To be listed on the CAMPOSOL TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
To be listed on the CONDADO TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
Guidelines for submitting articles to Camposol Today

Hello, and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event.

Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia, providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area, which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia.

When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today, please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible:

Send an email to [email protected] or [email protected]

Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc

Include all relevant points, including:

Who is the organisation running the event?

Where is it happening?

When?

How much does it cost?

Is it necessary to book beforehand, or can people just show up on the day?

…but try not to exceed 300 words

Also attach a photo to illustrate your article, no more than 100kb