We were sad to leave Hotel Rural los Caracoles and would love to go back there. We decided to go to Lanjarón on the western edge of Las Alpujarras for our first stop-off on our journey back north.
I was due a blood test for my GCA condition (Giant Cell Arteritis) and Sue found a clinic in Nerja I could get it done for 42 Euros. We drove down there and it was all very efficient! Results due tomorrow! Then we headed off to Lanjarón.
We found a parking place on park4night with a nice view and opted to spend the night there. There were several car parks all around the town where you could park for free overnight.
Lanjarón is best known as a spa town and was the first large producer of bottled mineral water in Spain. The water comes from snow and rain which falls high up in the Sierra Nevada and then is filtered down through rocks which add the mineral content for which it is renowned. Every year on June 23rd, from midnight to 1a.m. Is the Fiesta de San Juan – this is a giant water fight and draws people from miles around.
This activity is evident in the many fountains that can be found in the town. It was great to be able to fill up our water bottles so freely with mineral water from the mountains! The fountains have literary quotes on them. Many of these are from Federico García Lorca. He was inspired by this landscape after ten years of holidaying in the area.
As we strolled through the town, I felt a plop on my head! I was hoping that it was water but unfortunately a bird had chosen my head as its public convenience! Apparently, it’s really good luck. 😃 The abundance of available water was a distinct advantage at this point. I washed my hands and Dave kindly washed my hair with fresh water from the fountain – a great act of chivalry!! 🤣
There were two notable squares which were worth a visit. The Plaza de La Constitución had a beautiful statue and fountain with grandparents sitting on the side while several of their grandchildren played in the water. There was also a plaque and canon – this referenced the fact that Lanjarón was strategically important in the War of Independence against the French troops. The locals used an old mortar to fire against them so efficiently that they became known as cañoneros. The second square of note was La Plaza de Santa Ana, a picturesque square with a water fountain and 18th century public washing stone.
We did quite a lot of walking as we were parked west of the town and then walked further to see the ruins of the Castillo de Lanjarón, which is a fortress known locally as the moorish castle. (It was built between the 8th and 9th centuries under Yusuf’s rule) From the castle there is a great view of the nearby Salado Gorge.
In the evening we decided to go to the spa, which is the main reason people come to Lanjarón! We opted for the one-hour session with no treatments, which was just right. There was a steam room, sauna, cold pool, hot pools with various jets, a jacuzzi and hot beds to lie on. All very relaxing! There were also four taps with the various local mineral waters and cups available to drink them. They were indicated for different conditions. They tasted a bit fizzy but not unpleasant. All in all it was a fun experience and we’re glad we did it.
We returned up the hill to the parking area and decided after eating A LOT in the hotel, we would have a late tea of beer and crisps! The Guardia Civil were parked close by and we wondered whether they would kick us off the parking area ( we had another spot lined up just in case) but after an hour or so they left to probably harass some motorist somewhere.
Good night John Boy!🥱
