Many of us know the watermark, but few of us know what is inside the village of Lanjaón, located in the "Alpujarra of Granada" in Andalusia, where you can spend a few pleasant days on holiday, enjoying a rural tourism experience.
It is one of the localities that act as a welcoming gateway to the "Sierra Nevada" natural park.
What is this park? It is a small mountain range considered a protected area, which encompasses a large part of the territory of Andalusia. It is full of green spaces such as the "Tello" forest, through which there are several open hiking trails. Although it burnt down in 2005, it is still full of green life and small waterfalls that run all the way to our destination: Lanjarón.
What can I see in the village? We like that interest! Well, from a viewpoint on the outskirts you can see the remains of the "Moorish castle", as the locals call the Moorish fortress on top of a hill.
Moving inland you will find the Honey Museum, located on an 18,000 m2 estate, where you can learn all about beekeeping in an interactive way. An even more important centre is the Water Museum, which consists of four rooms with audiovisual media that explain the history and uses of water, etc. Once informed about this valuable resource, you can try the Water Route, stopping at the different drinking water fountains in the town.
If you've had enough walking for a day, you can try the therapeutic baths of the Lanjarón spa, a neo-Mudejar style building that is now a hotel. It is probably because of these luxuries that Lanjarón is considered one of the longest-living municipalities in the world...
Once you have regained your strength, it is time to go to the village center: the "Plaza de la Constitución". Here you will find the Town Hall and a monument called "Fuente Viva". You can also see one of the sculptures of the "Ruta de los Cañones", which has three of them scattered around Lanjarón.
Leaving this place behind, you can head towards the "Hondillo" neighbourhood, where you will find the town's main streets, as well as many traditional little stores: grocery stores, fruit and vegetable shops, etc. You will probably pass the Gothic-Renaissance church of “Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación”, built at the end of the 15th century. And you can finish your walk in the peaceful little square of “Santa Ana”, surrounded by the typical “Alpujarran” houses that cast a pleasant shade under which you can linger.
What about their food? We knew you would ask this question. In Lanjarón the specialty is a variety of stews such as almond soup, or ribs with pumpkin and mushrooms. And for dessert, you can try their sweet dried fig cakes.
As for traditional festivities, the "San Juan" festivities on the 24th of June are particularly noteworthy. It is curious, because instead of following the tradition of jumping bonfires, there is a "Fiesta del Agua", in which water is thrown from balconies and rooftops to bathe anyone who is wondering the streets.
Now that you know more about Lanjarón and its waters, we hope you won't resist the opportunity to go and spend a few days doing rural tourism in these parts.
