History

San Javier is spread around 74.2 Km2 and it has 27,032 inhabitants, a figure that increases considerably during the summer. Its history began with the Berber attacks about a hermitage in a crossroads at the beginning of the 17th century. The name of San Javier comes from the influence of courageous apostle San Francisco Javier. The hermitage was also named after him, and it was used as a meeting point for those inhabitants from scattered country houses until it became the capital of the area, according to the provisions issued by the Courts of Cádiz.

This area has 8 distinct districts, which are distinguished by their either agricultural or fishing activity: Mirador, la Grajuela, Roda, Los Saez de Tarquinales, Pozo Aledo and la Calavera are mainly agriculture-based, but Santiago de la Ribera and La Manga del Mar Menor are mainly tourist centres.

Santiago de La Ribera appeared in 1888 around a hermitage under the advocation of apostle Santiago. It was founded by Friar José María Barnuevo y Rodrigo de Villamayor, a Knight from the Military Order of Santiago, which is why the village was named Santiago de la Ribera. Today it is a modern place with a beautiful promenade along the long beach flanked by palm trees that has never lost its lovely marine spirit.

Find out more information in: http://www.sanjavier.com