Alfonso XII Statue

The Balcon de Europa that we know today used to be called the Paseo la Bateria, a defensive fort from which potential enemies travelling from North Africa could be spotted, allowing the people of Nerja to anticipate attacks and fire cannons. On December 25, 1884, an earthquake hit the Alhama geological fault, and caused massive destruction, particularly to the two sides of the Tejeda and Almijara located in Nerja as a suspended cliff overlooking a series of sandy coves and crystal clear waters. A royal delegation came to visit Nerja in the wake of the disaster, and King Alonso XII arrived on the 12 January 1885.