History

The Islas Columbretes, a volcanic archipelago off the coast of Castellón, formed millions of years ago due to changes in the Earth’s crust. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans knew the islands for their abundance of snakes, earning them the names Ophiusa and Colubraria. In 1856, a lighthouse was built on Illa Grossa to improve navigation. Since 1988, the islands have been protected as a nature reserve. The history of the islands is rich with tales of pirates, shipwrecks, and fishing adventures.