Mecina Fondales: Trails, Village Character and Historic Culture

Mecina Fondales is characterised by an urban layout adapted to the slope of the terrain; at its centre lies a communal threshing floor, from which the streets radiate downhill.

The GR-142 passes through Mecina-Fondales, a 144 km linear long-distance hiking trail from Lanjarón to Fiñana, which was officially approved and signposted in 2001.

Hiking and Trails

Municipal Route 6 connects Mecina and Ferreirola via the Escarihuela de Fondales, Cerro Corona and the Escarihuela de Panjuila. Signposted hiking trails also connect the three settlements of Mecina, Mecinilla and Fondales. The routes in the municipality of La Taha are signposted on site and supplemented by seven downloadable brochures. The length of the GR-142 represents a different planning scale from Municipal Route 6 or the connections between the three settlements; the three types of trail can therefore be considered separately rather than treated as similar excursions. The municipality’s brochures supplement the signposting with an additional form of preparation, while the local trails provide orientation directly in the terrain. The available access options therefore differ in terms of medium and relationship to the route.

The various themes can be given different emphasis independently of one another: those seeking physical activity read the trails in terms of distance and connections; those exploring the village through its history pay attention to architectural features, religious buildings, the bridge and water management. No fixed order is necessary. Whether you prefer to follow a route during your holiday or take time to focus on individual details of the village, the available points of connection accommodate both approaches.

Village Character and History

The traditional streetscape includes tinaos, galleries, passageways and narrow lanes. The historic area of La Tahá comprises six settlement units, including Mecina-Fondales. The former schools now house the Centro de Estudios de Sierra Nevada y la Alpujarra (CESNA), a cultural space for meetings, exhibitions and various events.

Culture and Historical Testimony

The church of Mecina-Fondales has a rectangular single-nave body, side chapels and a tower attached to the chancel. Work was carried out on the church in 1536; the building may possibly be the former mosque converted for use as a church. In 1564, its interior was decorated with glazed ceramic ornamentation.

The Puente Romano crosses the Trevélez River and was part of the old royal road to Almería; the structure known as the Puente Romano probably dates from the Islamic period. The remains of an old grain mill can be seen beside it. Mecina-Fondales also has the public washhouse Lavadero público de Mecina-Fondales.

Landscape and Irrigation

Area 2 of the protected historic site encompasses the centre of Mecina and its terraced agricultural area. In Mecina, the traditionally built settlement areas and the agriculturally used land form an inseparable protected heritage system. One spring supplies iron-rich water. At the edge of Mecina, a path leads to the Alberca Grande, a large water reservoir that regulates irrigation times and water shares in this area.

For the broader travel overview: La Mamola.