Bellver Beaches, located south of Oropesa (Plana Alta) and surrounded by natural scenery away from urban development, have been used for decades as a nudist area in a prime coastal location.
Following announcements of changes by the council, naturists and environmental groups fear a gradual replacement of nudist use with that of swimmers in bathing suits.
Following announcements of changes by the council, naturists and environmental groups fear a gradual replacement of nudist use with that of swimmers in bathing suits.
The Oropesa City Council has decided to remove the reference to the nudist tradition from its municipal regulations. Simultaneously, the obligation to explicitly signpost the location as nudist has been abolished. This has generated concern among naturist users worried about the future of nudist use in the area.
“"They are campaigning against people who practice nudism"
“"they want to misinform and make people afraid to come naked"
The controversy has fueled misinformation and created uncertainty among regular bathers, who report noticing changes in visitor profiles and some environmental degradation.
Some users also express concern about the possibility of being fined for practicing nudism.
Some users also express concern about the possibility of being fined for practicing nudism.
From the Oropesa City Council, they attempt to reassure those affected, attributing the controversy precisely to the spread of erroneous information. "Neither the Local Police nor anyone else will reprimand them. There are many people who want to make noise and tarnish a fact that has no other motive than to eliminate the mandatory posting of signage," stated Isabel Moya, Oropesa's councilor for beaches.
Both users and the council agree, however, on the need to protect this unique natural site in the south of the municipality.
Both users and the council agree, however, on the need to protect this unique natural site in the south of the municipality.
