Casa del Reloj, San Pedro del Pinatar

Casa del Reloj

The Casa del Reloj is one of the best known buildings in San Pedro del Pinatar, and  dates from a time when San Pedro was undergoing a significant change.

Prior to the arrival of wealthy town dwellers, San Pedro had been the home of fishermen, farmers and those working in the salt pans, living in simple labourers cottages in small hamlets throughout the municipality.
At the end of the 19th century, however,  San Pedro del Pinatar began to acquire a reputation as being THE place for the wealthy and elite of Murcia Capital to pass the hot months of Summer, due in no great part to the presence of Pedro Pagán y Ayuso, Mayor of Murcia in 1874, and his wife Leonor Guerra, the darling of Murcia’s intelligentsia.

Famous for her literary salons, she gathered the élite of Murcia around her, including Cánovas del Castillo (President of Spain 1875-76), the Baron of Benifayó and Emilio Castelar (president 1873-74).
Following her lead, other wealthy families began to build their summer residences in San Pedro del Pinatar, including the Barón de Benifayó who himself then built a house which became known as the Casa de Rusa, and which today is home to the Municipal Museum.

Another of these houses is the Casa del Reloj, built for the wealthy Servet family by Torre Pacheco architect Pedro Cerdán, who also built the Casa del Piñon in La Unión, the Veronicas marketplace in Murcia, the Public Market in Alhama de Murcia, and many other buildings across the region.
This building combines the eclectic modernist style which typified buildings of the time, and it´s real title is the Villa de San Sebastian, although it became known as the house of the clock, La Casa del Reloj, due to the clock face situated on its exterior.
Internally the building retains much of the original elements, which can be seen by visitors as the building is today a well known local restaurant.

Sadly, one of its greatest claims to fame is the fact that D. Emilio Castelar, President of the I Spanish Republic, died in the house in 1899. He was a good friend of the Servet family, and knowing that he was suffering from a severe heart condition , came to San Pedro del Pinatar to enjoy the fresh air and healthy bathing. However, eight days after arriving, he suffered a heart attack and died, an event which is commemorated by a plaque in the house today.
 

Location:

Casa del Reloj

Avenida Doctor Artero Guirao

San Pedro del Pinatar

Click for map Avenida Doctor Artero Guirao, San Pedro del Pinatar

NB. Although the owners are happy for visitors to see the house, this is a privately run restaurant.