Discover Durcal: Bridges, Castles and Thermal Springs

Key features of Durcal include prominent bridges, historic sites, thermal springs and the Los Bolos route. The Puente de Lata is considered one of the most representative Spanish structures from the era of metal bridges. Today, it is accessible exclusively to pedestrians and offers panoramic views over the deep valley of the Dúrcal River.

Culture

The parish church of Inmaculada Concepción is a solid, elegant building from the mid-16th century that was partially destroyed during the Morisco uprising. Its exterior is defined by a slender brick tower and a simple façade with a round arch supported by pilasters.

The Castillo de Dúrcal, also known as “Penón de los Moros”, is an ancient small castle that probably dates from before the Nasrid period. What remains of the site includes the corner of a tower, two cisterns and several gallery passages that extend to the river and are known as “túneles moros”.

The Fuerte de Márgena is a defensive structure from the Nasrid period and a 14th-century building. Only a rectangular, almost square tower remains; two connected walls are still approximately 7 metres high.

The Fábrica San José was built in 1907 in the Neo-Mudéjar style as a factory for oil and olive pomace. It is the only surviving one of three oil factories that existed in Dúrcal at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Puente Antiguo, locally also called “Roman Bridge”, was probably built during the Andalusian period and served as the main crossing of the river until the mid-19th century. It was restored by the students of Escuela Taller Dúrcal II.

Nature and trails

The Los Bolos route is a linear hike with an out-and-back route, takes approximately three hours, is about 6.5 kilometres long and has a moderate level of difficulty. In sections, it follows the Dúrcal River and ends at a waterfall. Its approximate duration, length and moderate difficulty complement the site's historic and thermal attractions.

Las Buitreras is located at an altitude of 1,666 metres and takes its name from a former colony of griffon vultures that lived there until the 1960s.

Thermal springs

The Baños de Urquízar and Vacamía are springs with medicinal and thermal waters, whose water is used for bathing and drinking; the water from Urquízar was recognised as mineral water in November 1990 and as thermal water in 2006.

The Baño Chico spring facility at Urquizar I supplies two shallow artificial pools measuring just under 2 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. The Baño Grande at Vacamía is a pool approximately 6 metres long, 3 metres wide and about 1 metre deep. The two spring areas therefore differ in pool shape and the stated dimensions.

Other places

Other places: Tocón, La Calahorra, Pinos Del Valle, Lobras, Cortes De Baza, Benalúa De Las Villas, Algarinejo, Huéscar

To the overarching travel overview: Granada.