The Red Wall

Some people come to Calpe looking for the beach, and others come specifically to see this: La Muralla Roja. It is not a hotel, nor a museum; it is a residential building. But not just any building. Designed by Ricardo Bofill in the late 60s and completed in 1973, this place has become a photographic icon, a film backdrop, a fashion setting, and a reference point in contemporary architecture.

Located in the urbanization La Manzanera, it is part of a series of works signed by Bofill in the area (also including the Xanadú Building). From the outside, what catches the eye are its colors—reds, blues, violets—and the way the structure plays with light, shadows, and voids. But upon closer inspection, you see the thoughtful geometry, a living space, an internal layout that is not only aesthetic but functional.

The design is inspired by adobe towers from North Africa and Mediterranean fortresses. Everything is organized around the Greek cross, separating service areas from living spaces and connecting everything with stairs, corridors, patios, and bridges that cross each other like a maze, yet maintaining logical coherence. The result is pure Bofill, with a clear structure, radical composition, but livable.

Today, it houses around 50 private apartments. And no, you cannot enter freely. If you are not staying there or do not have an invitation, it’s best to respect the space and view it from the outside, especially from the Mirador de la Cala Manzanera, which offers one of the best perspectives.