IV Travesía Castell de Ferro 2026

In the 12th century, the geographer al-Idrisi identified this coastal stretch as 'Marsa al-Firruy', a vital anchorage where the name signaled both a port and a location of strategic iron-like resilience. Today, that same history of maritime transit defines the experience of the Castell de Ferro swim, where swimmers navigate waters that have served as a shelter for centuries. The 1500-meter course does not merely follow a line; it tracks the legacy of a coastline shaped by its need for defense and its enduring connection to the sea.

Landmarks of the coast

As you sight your path, the silhouette of the Torre de la Rijana rises from its rocky promontory. This Roman-era watchtower, immortalized in regional cinema, serves as a natural beacon that guides your progress along the beach. Further southwest, the Faro de la Punta del Melonar stands as a modern successor to the ancient Arab-era watchtower, the Torre de la Estancia. While the crumbling walls of a Nazari castle overlook the town from the heights, swimmers remain focused on the water, aware of the defensive towers like the Torre de Cambriles that were built to ward off historical Barbary pirate raids. The local coastline is also marked by a 19th-century influx of Catalan merchants, a history still etched into the town's street names.

Water rituals and race day

The water here is deeply linked to local festivities. During the celebrations for the Virgen del Carmen, the sea becomes a stage for a maritime procession, with fireworks often launched from the surface—a spectacle that mirrors the intensity of the midsummer Hogueras de San Juan. On June 24th, it is a local custom to enter the sea for a midnight swim, a ritual that predates the modern race format. For those looking to continue their season in the Granada province, the Travesía Torrenueva Costa takes place just months later, offering a different look at the Costa Granadina. Whether you are navigating the morning currents or observing the shoreline, the swim at Castell de Ferro demands a steady rhythm to match the tides of this historical anchorage.