Bateria de Cenizas (The Portman Guns) is an old disused military base located near to a town called Portman in the Region of Murcia, and not too far from the city of Cartagena, Spain. There is a Naval Base at Cartagena.
It is a difficult place to find, but once you have made it, it is a very interesting and surprising place to see. I have enjoyed a day out here.
Due to the fact that Cartagena was important, the hillsides on either side of the harbour were fortified from the 1920’s. I don’t know when the base was dis-used.
The large 380mm guns……(just like the ones in the film The Guns of Navarone). They were made by the British firm Vickers and had a range of 35,000 metres. The barrel length is 18.6 meters and they weigh 88,000 kilograms.
Also on the site are several buildings that were used by the military such as lookout towers and barracks.
For a completely different day out, this is a very interesting place to visit if you are in the locality.
To get to this site you have to first make your way to La Manga Club……which is a very big and famous golf and holiday complex (used a lot by British football stars).
From the road MU 312 follow signs to La Manga Club. Go past the club entrance following signs to Portman. This road becomes wider with a green cycle lane, going up hill. The access to the gun footpath is at the crest of this hill (on your left through a wooden gate). But you can't park there.
Just before you reach the crest there is a small road off to your right signposted to Llano del Beal. About 50metres up this road there is a large parking area on your left. After parking your car it is then about a 45 minute walk along a footpath that is a steady uphill climb and shaded partially by trees.
It is hard work to get there, but worth it once you have made it!
