El Campello City Hall hosted a ceremonial opening this Tuesday to honor Pilar Altamira García-Tapia, a writer, lecturer, and advocate who dedicated her life to preserving and sharing the legacy of her grandfather, Rafael Altamira y Crevea, a renowned Alicante historian and jurist. The event drew the Ramos Altamira family, with four siblings Ignacio, Luz, Javier, and Pilar, alongside local officials and community leaders. Mayor Juanjo Berenguer, representing the main local parties, and other civic representatives gathered at the municipal park where Pilar had long resided and contributed to local life. Pilar Altamira passed away in January 2021 at the age of 81 after a life devoted to culture, education, and memory, leaving behind a rich intergenerational connection to the Altamira family and to Spanish humanist traditions.
Known for her scholarship and love of culture, Pilar Altamira earned a degree in Biological Sciences at the Complutense University of Madrid. Yet her enduring passion centered on safeguarding and spreading the humanist legacy linked to Rafael Altamira, an Alicante-born scholar whose work bridged generations and continents. Her efforts extended to ensuring that the historical memory of the family would endure for future generations and that the generations whose mortal remains were once scattered across Mexico would be welcomed back to Spain with proper recognition.
Rafael Altamira ready to be sent back to El Campello: Cost of 55,000 euros unless date determined
In a straightforward gesture, a monolith was erected in the northern portion of the park, beside a fountain. An inscription on the plaque reads: In memory of Pilar Altamira García-Tapia and of her grandfather, Rafael Altamira y Crevea, Alicante historian and jurist, whose legacy continues to inspire scholars and residents alike.
During the ceremony, Pilar Altamira’s daughters, Luz and Pilar, unveiled the plaque. The mayor highlighted the deep ties between Pilar and the town, noting that she was an independent, active, and multicultural woman with a keen interest in art and education. He stressed the importance of preserving her grandfather’s legacy and keeping it alive for future generations.
Ignacio Ramos Altamira expressed gratitude on behalf of the family for the warm reception El Campello has consistently shown the Altamira lineage. He recalled the positive relationships Pilar maintained with the town’s recent mayors, Juanjo Berenguer and Benjamin Soler, and noted the ongoing efforts to advance proposals that have earned broad support within the Municipal Corporation.
Temporary location
The exact site for the monolith remains to be finalized. The mayor indicated that the monument may be relocated in the future to a new park that will bear Pilar Altamira’s name and will be located close to the municipal education center dedicated to Rafael Altamira. Plans indicate the park could be completed and opened in the coming year, strengthening a cultural corridor that links scholarship, education, and community life in El Campello.