The chimney was built in 1923 as part of a lead smelting complex managed by the Sociedad Minero Metalúrgica de Los Guindos.
Standing at 104 meters, it was one of the tallest industrial structures in Spain at the time of its completion.
The name 'La Monique' refers to the wife of the French engineer who oversaw the smelter's technical design.
The chimney was specifically engineered to vent toxic gases high into the atmosphere to minimize environmental impact on the nearby city center.
It is one of the few remaining examples of 'brick architecture' in an industrial context within the Málaga metropolitan area.
The Torre Mónica, also known as the chimney of the Los Guindos lead smelter, is a 104-meter-high brick chimney located in the Carretera de Cádiz district of Málaga. It is the last remaining vestige of the city's 20th-century industrial past, specifically the Los Guindos foundry established in 1923. The structure is constructed from distinctively patterned exposed red brick. It was named 'La Monique' after the wife of the engineer who designed it. Following the cessation of industrial activities at the site in the late 1970s, the surrounding factory buildings were demolished, leaving the chimney standing as an iconic urban landmark. The structure is recognized as an Industrial Heritage site and holds protected status under local municipal regulations. It is situated along the Paseo Marítimo, serving as a visual reference point for the coastal area of the city. Today, it stands amidst a modern residential and recreational urban landscape.
From the Paseo Marítimo Antonio Banderas, specifically from the wooden walkway looking back toward the city.
View the chimney from the adjacent beach promenade for the best perspective against the Mediterranean horizon.
Combine your visit with a walk along the Antonio Banderas Promenade, which runs directly in front of the structure.
Visit during the golden hour to capture the red brick against the setting sun.
Do not attempt to enter the site's immediate base area, as it is cordoned off for safety and structural preservation.
The site is an outdoor urban monument and is accessible at all times, though there is no public entry inside the chimney.
