Dona Sinforosa Park in Torrevieja

History: From stately mansion to public park

The Origins: The House of Portals

At the beginning of the 20th century, the land now occupied by the park housed an imposing mansion known as Casa de los Portales, owned by the Ayuso family, dedicated to the export of fruit. The house was notable for its seven porches that extended toward the beach and for the "Salón Sevilla," a social space frequented by the local bourgeoisie.

Doña Sinforosa and her legacy

Later, the property passed into the hands of Antonio Gómez and Doña Sinforosa Moreno Covos. Doña Sinforosa won the affection of the town for her affable nature and generosity, allowing children to play in her gardens and helping those most in need. After her death in 1929, her funeral drew an unusual crowd for the time.

Hospital during the Civil War

During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the house was converted into a 200-bed military hospital, where those wounded at the front could complete their convalescence before returning to combat. This event profoundly marked the building's history.

The fight for its conservation

In 1988, the park was on the verge of disappearing when the City Council declared the land suitable for development. Thanks to citizen mobilization and numerous demonstrations, the space was preserved and eventually named Doña Sinforosa Park in honor of its former owner.

Location and access

Doña Sinforosa Park is one of Torrevieja's most iconic green spaces, located right on Acequión Beach. This unique spot combines history, nature, and sea views in a carefully preserved setting. Its privileged location, between the city center and the seafront, makes it a must-see for visitors and residents.

The park is well-accessible for wheelchairs, fenced, and illuminated 24/7 in the summer. It is also surrounded by other parks, such as the Canary Islands Park and the Station Park.

Nature and biodiversity

Doña Sinforosa Park is home to a remarkable diversity of plants that create a cool, shady environment even on the hottest days. Its most notable species include tall eucalyptus trees that dominate the landscape, centuries-old pines that provide cooling, palm trees that rise several meters, and white mulberry trees recently planted in 2024 to increase the shaded areas. This combination of species creates a unique microclimate where different vegetation strata coexist, from the crowns of the tallest trees to the smaller shrubs and plants.

Regarding wildlife, the park serves as an urban refuge for various birds, both native and some exotic species that have found their habitat here. Over the years, Argentine parrots have been recorded, but their nests were removed in 2025 for safety reasons. The variety of plant species also attracts pollinating insects, creating a small ecosystem in the heart of Torrevieja that coexists harmoniously with the public use of the park.

Services

Doña Sinforosa Park offers various services for the enjoyment of visitors. It has a children's area with sand games where the little ones can have fun, and it has public restrooms that may occasionally be closed for maintenance or outside of established hours.

The park is equipped with benches distributed throughout the space, allowing for rest and contemplation of the surroundings. It also has a pee-can specifically designed so that pets can do their business properly. Night lighting is present, especially during the summer when hours are extended until later, facilitating visits during the cooler hours.

One of its most characteristic elements is the restored bandstand where open-air concerts are occasionally held, especially by the Torrevieja Musical Union. Nearby is the central fountain with its striking vertical jet of water, which has become a very popular photo spot for visitors. The entire park is conveniently fenced, maintaining a balance between accessibility and safety for all users.