The Paseo Vista Alegre, Torrevieja
This paseo often appears as Paseo Vistalegre, Torrevieja
This central Paseo has undergone many identity changes before becoming the best known Paseo in Torrevieja
The Paseo Vista Alegre as we see it today has undergone not only a number of name changes but also changes in identity, but remains now, as it has been since it was first recorded in 1842 when it was listed as being called the Paseo del Malecón, due to the defensive wall nearby which defended the area from the sea, the most important public Paseo in the urban town.
Used by generations of Torrevieja residents and visitors, the Paseo offers a shaded walkway and an open public area which is the location for a vast number of cultural events and public activities in the town. Today the main Torrevieja tourist office is just a few meters from the Paseo, and there is underground car-parking beneath it, the plaza covering an area of some 13,000 square meters.
A few historical name changes.
In 1843, the Paseo del Malecón was renamed the Paseo Vista Alegre, in honour of the Marqués de Vista Alegre, don Isidro Antallo Bermudes, (1690-1765) head of the house of Antayo, and Marqués de Vista Alegre, officer in the Asturias Infantry Regiment and later on, Captain of a frigate which participated in attacks on the island of Sicily in 1718, directing the assault of Mesina in which he was injured.
He also took part in campaigns in Africa and eventually died in Cadíz in 1765.
However, in 1900, a political change lead to it being re-named as the Paseo del Duque de la Victoria, to honour General Baldomero Espartero, an ambitious and highly successful general, who had become Prime Minister of Spain during the early 1840’s.
In 1920 it yet again changed, this time becoming the Paseo de Canalejas in memory of politician José Canaleja y Méndez, who had been assassinated 8 years earlier.
After the Civil War it again received a new identity, this time as the Paseo José Antonio in 1940, honouring Head of the Falange, José Antonio Primo de Rivera, a name it managed to retain right until the restoration of democracy in 1978, when the Town Hall of Torrevieja once again re-named it Paseo Vista Alegre.
The current look of the Paseo Vista Alegre dates back to 2008 when the Paseo was totally remodelled, with a new metallic sunshade, new seating, planting and lighting.
The underground parking has a maximum height of 2.10 metres and there is plenty more parking in the port areas behind the Paseo, including space for high-topped vehicles and camper vans.
Click for map, Paseo Vista Alegre, Torrevieja
