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A fossilised dune at the Playazo de Rodalquilar beach, within the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park on the coast of Almería, has been vandalised after graffiti was discovered covering part of its surface this Sunday April 12.

 

The damage includes the phrase ‘Playa naturista’ (‘Naturist beach’) spraypainted in blue across the dune, which is one of the area’s most distinctive geological formations. The site is well known among both visitors and residents for its natural and scenic value.

 

 

The incident has caused concern among those who value the protected landscape. David Valverde, a diving instructor in the natural park known on social media as David “Chanquete”, visited the site to highlight the damage, stating: “I had to come and see it with my own eyes. This is a damn disgrace. To damage part of a protected area for this is a disgrace.”

 

Authorities have repeatedly warned about the need to respect the environment in the park, where incidents of anti-social behaviour are not uncommon. Problems such as littering, unauthorised access to restricted areas and graffiti continue to underline the importance of public awareness and responsible tourism.

 

The fossilised dune is considered an important example of the geological evolution of the Almería coastline and forms part of the protected natural features of the park. Its preservation is regarded as essential both for its scientific value and for maintaining the appeal of one of the province’s most recognisable landscapes.

 

The Playa del Rodalquilar is a nudist beach, but only in the western part of the beach, and it is commonly frequented by both nudists and non-nudist visitors.

 

It is not yet known who is responsible for the graffiti, and there has been no confirmation of when or how it might be removed. Any restoration work is expected to require specialised techniques to avoid causing further damage to the dune.

 

 

Image: David Chanquete