Motril’s iconic Fábríca de Nuestra Señora del Pilar has welcomed over 6,500 visitors since the start of 2026, marking a significant milestone in its transformation into a major industrial, cultural, and scientific tourism landmark on the Costa Tropical.
The attendance figure was announced by Motril Mayor Luisa García Chamorro and Industrial Heritage Councillor Madelin Banqueri during a joint progress report. The former sugar mill has drawn a diverse audience ranging from local residents and school groups to international tourists from Germany, the Netherlands, France, the United States, and Canada, as well as more than 800 cruise ship passengers.
A major driver of recent attendance was the popular summer night tour program, which ran from June 20 to September 12 and drew nearly 700 participants. High demand forced organizers to extend the initial schedule through mid-September, filling nearly all available slots on Friday and Saturday evenings.
To support the momentum, the municipality announced a planned 40% increase in the 2027 municipal budget allocated toward site renovations, machinery restoration, universal accessibility upgrades, and year-round cultural programming.
Beyond historical tours, the heritage site has expanded its cultural footprint. In recent months, it hosted the filming of the feature film Hijo de la Ruina: Una maldición heredada, held art exhibitions such as Helga Dietrich’s painting showcase, and hosted the inaugural Sugar Fest art and craft festival alongside various photography, poetry, and painting competitions.
“Recovering the Fabrica del Pilar was never just about preserving an old building complex; it meant protecting our collective memory and honoring generations of workers,” said Mayor García Chamorro, reaffirming the town’s commitment to consolidating the site into a fully realized Industrial Museum.
