El Pozo de los Aviones is a historic and natural site located in the province of Almería, Andalusia, at coordinates 37.39210, -2.36457. Although its name suggests a connection to aircraft, it actually refers to a well or depression in the ground within the Paraje de los Pozos, where the ruins of the San Andrés Foundry (1876–1912)—an important industrial metal-smelting center in the region—were located in the 19th century. The site preserves the geological and biological context of the coastal area of eastern Almería, with nearby wetlands such as the Salar de los Canos, which attract numerous birds and offer a landscape evocative of Almería’s industrial history. From the viewing point, visitors can see the ruins of the old factory, set within a transitional landscape between wetlands and modern developments such as Vera Playa and Pueblo Salinas. The site’s significance stems from its implicit protected status due to its historical and industrial value, as well as its inclusion in hiking guides for the Levante Almeriense region, which list it as a point of interest on routes connecting the Salar de los Canos with coastal developments. The best time to visit is during spring or fall, when weather conditions are most favorable and bird activity in the nearby salt flat is at its peak. The Pozo de los Aviones stands as a testament to Almería’s mining and metallurgical activity in the 19th century, with a history spanning from 1876 to 1912. Its location in the Paraje de los Pozos, near the AL-7107 highway and the bird-watching towers of the Salar de los Canos, makes it a point of interest for those seeking to combine industrial history with nature along the Almería coast.
