Cape Palos

Cape Palos (Spanish: Cabo de Palos) is a cape in the Spanish municipality of Cartagena, in the region of Murcia.

The name Palos is derived from the Latin word palus, meaning ‘lagoon’, a reference to the Mar Menor.

According to Pliny the Elder and Rufus Festus Avienus, there was once a temple dedicated to Baal Hammon on the promontory of the cape, which later became associated with the cult of Saturn.

During the reign of Philip II of Spain, a watchtower was built on the promontory as a defense measure against the Barbary Pirates.

Its lighthouse [es] began operating on January 31, 1865.