The structure functions as a formal 'puesto de socorro' or lifeguard station during the summer swimming season.
Its design was heavily influenced by the nautical architecture style, mimicking the appearance of a ship's bridge.
The number 4 associated with the tower refers to the specific access point number along the Muro de San Lorenzo promenade.
The structure serves as a point of reference for measuring tides and local sea conditions for swimmers.
It survived the intense bombardment of Gijón during the Spanish Civil War despite its prominent location.
La Escalerona is a iconic concrete viewing platform located on the San Lorenzo Beach promenade in Gijón, Asturias. Designed by architect José Avelino Díaz y Fernández-Omaña, the structure was completed in 1933 to provide structured access to the beach. It features a distinctive three-story tower design that serves as both a grand staircase and a functional lifeguard and first-aid post. The modernist architecture reflects the aesthetic transition of 1930s coastal urbanism in Spain. It is positioned at the intersection of the promenade and Staircase Number 4. The tower provides an elevated vantage point over the Cantabrian Sea. It remains the most recognizable architectural element of the city's 1.5-kilometer urban beach. The structure is integrated into the city’s defensive and aesthetic coastal protection system.
From the sand directly in front of the tower looking upward at high tide, or from the promenade walkway during the golden hour.
Walk the full length of the Muro de San Lorenzo to see how the architecture transitions from the historic center toward the eastern end.
Check local tide charts, as the beach area surrounding the base of the stairs disappears almost entirely at high tide.
Do not attempt to climb onto the higher, restricted levels of the tower if access is gated; remain on the designated public viewing platform.
Lifeguard services operate only during the summer season, though the structure itself is accessible year-round.
