New statue of Paco Rabal planned for the centre of Águilas

The internationally renowned actor would have been 100 years old on 8^th March 2026

In recognition of the centenary of the birth of actor Paco Rabal, the Town Hall has announced that a statue of the internationally acclaimed actor is to be added to those adorning the Plaza de España in the centre of the town.

The statue is to be created by sculptor David Sánchez, according to Mayor Cristóbal Casado, and during 2026 there will also be various other commemorations of Paco Rabal, including the screening of around 100 films, various exhibitions and the publication of books and articles about the man who remains arguably the most famous native of Águilas. The films are to come from the Filmoteca (film library) of the Region of Murcia, many of them featuring Rabal himself, and at the same time the regional authorities are compiling an exhibition of photographs and sound which will go on display both in Murcia and in Madrid.

There will also be a stage adaptation of the film “Los Santos Inocentes” (1984), in which Paco Rabal shared the award for Best Male Actor with Alfredo Landa at the Cannes Film Festival, respecting much of the original narrative and screenplay.

The birthplace of Francisco Rabal on 8th March 1926 was the tiny hamlet of Cuesta de Gos in the foothills of the mountains north of Calabardina, but his family left the Region of Murcia when the Civil War broke out in 1936 and moved to Madrid. He soon became interested in the theatre and went on to become one of Spain’s best-known actors as well as possibly Águilas’ best loved son.

Among the anecdotes concerning his career is that he was originally director William Friedkin’s first choice for the role of the French villain in The French Connection, but his staff mistakenly hired fellow Spanish actor Fernando Rey for the role. In Spain he is admired for his stage and film roles, including the film “Los Santos Inocentes”, for which he won the Best Actor award at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival.

In his later years he took up residence close to his birthplace in Calabardina, and the Centro de Cultura in Águilas is named after him. There is already a statue of the actor as an old man in Cuesta de Gos, just outside the small church.

For more local events, news and visiting information, contact the tourist office of Águilas (telephone 968 493285) or go to the home page of Águilas Today.