The church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in the Bahía district of Puerto de Mazarron
The small church alongside the Playa de la Isla in Puerto de Mazarrón
This attractive little church is located alongside the beach of Playa de la Ermita in Puerto de Mazarrón, and Mass is held just once a week, on Saturdays at 18.00 in summer and at 19.00 in winter.
The building stands in "DPMT" (Dominio Público Marítimo Terrestre), which technically means that it´s too near to the beach to be legally permitted and should be demolished according to the Ley de Costas! However, in 2010, the area around the Cabezo de la Cebada was revitalized, including the laying of decking and creating viewpoints with decked walkways, and at this point the question of the church came up for review.
The building had no legal paperwork, no title of occupancy for this zone of public land, but to avoid having to demolish the building the property registry and Town hall were asked to provide paperwork proving that the church had been in this position for more than 50 years so it that it could be given a stay of execution, consisting of a 30-year lease from the date on which the Ley de Costas legislation was originally passed in 1988.
The Bishop of Cartagena intervened to request that the church be permitted to remain in this location and be legalised.
Every year a special outdoor Mass is held on August 15, the feat day of the Virgen de la Asunción, and is very well attended by the holidaymakers who flock to Mazarrón during the summer.
