Salobreña, with its whitewashed houses and hilltop castle, is not only known for its picturesque charm. Deeply rooted in the heart of this city lies a sweet story that goes back to the time of the Moors: the legendary sugar cane factory van Salobreña.

The sugar factory

In the small village of La Caleta-Guardia, west of the Spanish city Salobreña, is a monument that bears witness to a bygone era. The sugar factory of La Caleta, built in 1861, is of great importance. It is the only factory in Europe that for more than a century processed sugar cane into sugar, honey and alcohol for the production of rum and other products. The busiest period was from April to July, the date of the so-called 'zafra' or the harvest of sugar cane. It was closed in 2006 and is a listed Cultural Heritage of Andalusia.

A sweet start

It was during the golden age of Moorish rule that sugar cane made its debut on the Costa Tropical. The ideal climatic conditions and the advanced irrigation techniques of the Moors made it possible Salobreña into a hot spot for sugar cane production. The factory became the epicentre of this thriving industry.

The factory flourished for years

As the centuries passed, the sugar cane industry grew steadily. The factory of Salobreña became a beating heart of production, innovation and community. From raw cane stalks to glistening sugar crystals, the factory’s machinery worked overtime to meet demand. The workers’ toil and sweat were rewarded with the sweet gold that fed their families and boosted the region’s economy. Over the years, the factory was rebuilt and expanded several times. In the 19th century, the factory was modernized with new machinery and technology. This made sugar production more efficient and cheaper.

Changes and decline

With time came challenges. International competition, changing trade laws and a shift in agricultural practices led to the slow decline of the Costa Tropical sugar industry. In the 1970s, demand for sugar in Europe began to decline. This led to a decline in production at the Costa Tropical sugar factory. SalobreñaThe once bustling factory of Salobreña began to fall silent. In 2005 the factory was finally closed.

A new life, a monument

Today the sugar cane factory of Salobreña no longer active in production, but its spirit lives on. It is now a monument to the rich history and hard work of generations. Visitors will soon be able to admire the old machinery, hear the stories of former workers and even enjoy cultural events organized in this historic setting.

The sugar cane factory of Salobreña is an important monument from the region's past. The factory is a symbol of the economic and social development of the region in the past centuries. The factory is still in reasonable condition and was open to visitors at the time of writing. There is an information centre where visitors can learn more about the history of the factory.