La Casa del Cable

La Casa del Cable is a small but distinctive building on the seafront of Xàbia (Jávea) on the Costa Blanca, built in 1860 to house the telegraph station serving the submarine cable that connected mainland Spain with Ibiza. Today it's a municipal exhibition hall showing contemporary art.

What was this building originally, and why here?

In the mid-19th century Spain was expanding its telegraph network, and linking the Balearic Islands to the mainland was a priority. Xàbia's bay, the closest point on the peninsula to Ibiza, was the natural choice for the spot where the submarine telegraph cable came ashore. The station was purpose-built in 1860 in the town's fishing quarter, right on the waterline.

How has the building and its use changed over time?

The original structure has a compact square footprint (just over 9 metres per side), two floors, and a four-sided tiled roof. The ground floor housed the telegraph office handling cable traffic, while the upper floor held living quarters and service rooms for the staff. Later, four rough stone columns were added to support a terrace, creating the characteristic covered gallery — a "naia" in local architecture — that still stands today.

There's also a lesser-known religious chapter: from the last quarter of the 19th century into the first decade of the 20th, the building served as a chapel for the fishing neighbourhood, holding an image of Our Lady of Loreto, before reverting to a purely functional role.

What can visitors see inside today?

Casa del Cable stopped operating as a telegraph office long ago; the building is now run by Xàbia's town council as an exhibition space. It hosts temporary and touring contemporary art shows — painting, photography, installations — from local and visiting artists. The interior keeps the simplicity of the original layout, which sits well against the modern exhibitions.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to visit?

The building stands in Xàbia's fishing district, close to the port and the seafront promenade, making it an easy stop on a coastal walk if you're staying in town — no car needed. Because it functions as an exhibition hall, it's worth checking the current programme before visiting, since opening hours often follow whichever show is running. Spring and summer are the liveliest seasons for cultural events in Xàbia, though the hall operates year-round depending on the schedule.

Frequently asked questions

What was Casa del Cable before it became an exhibition hall? It was a telegraph station built in 1860 to service the submarine cable linking mainland Spain with Ibiza.

Is entry to the exhibitions free? The hall is run by Xàbia town council and entry to temporary exhibitions is usually free, but it's worth checking for the specific show.

Has the building kept its original appearance? Yes — it retains its original square floor plan, two-storey layout and tiled roof; the distinctive stone-columned gallery (naia) on the terrace was added later.

Is it worth combining with other nearby sights? Yes — the building sits in the fishing quarter right by the sea, close to Xàbia's port, so you can easily pair a visit with a walk along the waterfront and a meal at one of the nearby restaurants.