In the south of Albacete, you are welcomed to the natural environment of Ferez, a charming little town where rural tourism offers the perfect complement to your travel plan.
Its natural setting is in the Sierra del Segura, in its last foothills, on which it sits to make way for cultivated fields and undulating plains sheltered from the waters of the Segura River. For this reason, thanks to this spectacular landscape, it has earned the name of "the mountain jewel" with compelling reason.
To name some of the outstanding natural spaces, we have La Alcantarilla de Jover in the Cenajo Swamp, which is ideal for a pleasant swim in summer, or El Calar Forest that is made up of species such as holm oaks or Aleppo pine. Nearby you can also visit Socovos and Letur, which, together with Férez, form what many call the Segura jewels.
Do you want to know a piece of its history? Some vestige of the Neolithic era tells us that in that age there were already settlements in the area. Later we see it move to the Muslim era in which it belonged to the County of Cora, until, during the reign of Fernando III, it is conquered and later ceded to the Order of Santiago.
It is in 1488 when the town title is granted, however it is not until the first third of the 19th century that it becomes part of Albacete.
The landscapes in its surroundings are one of the elements that most influence its economy, since the most generalized activity is related to agriculture, through olive groves, as well as fruit trees or cereals.
Would you like to enter Férez? Its urban centre is a network of narrow streets and winding nooks, where the Arab architecture still persists in most of the houses and buildings.
As in many small towns, the most outstanding monument is the church and in this case there is the Parish of the Assumption. Originally from the 16th century, the church houses inside an impressive treasure: a Baroque organ from the 18th century, the work of José Llopis.
On the outskirts of the town is another stand out location, The Arco de la Mora, a complex formed by an aqueduct and old hydraulic mills. Here is the perfect place for a pleasant walk where you can enjoy traditional structures and the beautiful landscape.
After a fulfilling visit around the town, you must be hungry… so let’s look at what’s to eat in Férez?
For the most part, the gastronomy of this Albacete town is the one that extends along the Sierra del Segura, where dishes such as ‘migas ruleras’ or ribs in marinade with potatoes, are one of the star dishes, along with sausages and high quality goat cheeses.
Like any good town worth its salt, traditional festivals cannot be missed. During the summer season, on the first weekend of August, you will find an agenda of festivals and cultural events, while in the October the celebrations have more religious character and are in the honour of the Virgen del Rosario.
An ideal place to take a break from the bustle of the cities and to explore a place of great natural beauty is here in Férez, a town best experienced through rural tourism.
