Inauguration of the new visitor reception centre at the Caminito de Rey, built and managed by Sando

21/10/2022

This week, El Caminito del Rey has a new visitor reception centre. A project executed by Sando and whose operation will be managed by the Caminito del Rey joint venture for the next few years. 

The Diputación de Málaga has invested one million euros in the new facilities, designed as a visitor and leisure centre, exhibition space, and car park for 240 vehicles. 

The opening ceremony of the visitor reception centre was attended by the President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juan Manuel Moreno; the President of the Diputación de Málaga, Francisco Salado; the Mayor of Ardales, Juan Alberto Naranjo; the Mayor of Álora, Francisco Martínez, and the Mayor of Antequera, Manuel Barón, together with representatives of the surrounding municipalities. 

During the presentation of this infrastructure, it was highlighted how the Caminito del Rey has become an international icon of the province of Malaga and Andalusia. A sustainable and unique construction in the world whose public works were executed by Sando.  

Visitor Reception Centre 

The newly inaugurated facilities have an information desk for the public with panels on the recovery process and information on the flora, fauna, and geology of the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes natural area. It also has television screens with real-time images of the Caminito del Rey and information about the weather and surroundings. There is a car park with 240 parking spaces and a solar canopy with photovoltaic panels for the centre’s electricity supply. 

Awards 

The numerous awards highlighting the project’s quality, innovation, Sustainability, and construction were mentioned during the inauguration ceremony. Three Europa Nostra Awards 2016, the Jury’s ‘Grand Prix’ and the ‘Audience Award.’ Distinctions at the 13th Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism, the 10th Ibero-American Biennial of Architecture, the Architecture Prize of the Archmarathon of Milan, and the 3rd National Prize ‘City and Territory Albert Serratosa’, instituted by the College of Civil Engineers and the Caminos Foundation. 

In addition, the Council of Ministers awarded it the Plaque for Tourism Merit in Emerging Destinations, and the Andalusian Regional Government awarded it the Andalusia Tourism Award 2016. 

It also holds the ASTER Marketing Award from the ESIC Business School and the ‘Biosphere’ Certificate, in recognition of tourism sustainability, awarded by the Responsible Tourism Institute