Holiday apartment in Fuensanta – Routes, heritage and festivals

A distinctive route through La Parroquia de la Fuensanta is the Ruta Castellón-Columna Miliaria. It is designated as a short family route measuring 5.3 kilometres and offers views of Cerro del Castellón, the Sierra de la Culebrina and Muela de Montalviche.

Nature and landscape

The settlement of La Parroquia is surrounded by hills covered with almond trees. In the wider area around La Tova, cultivated plains, riverbanks lined with tamarisk trees, scrubland and reforested Aleppo pine forests combine to create a varied rural landscape. Different types of scenery coexist here within a shared regional setting: open plains, riverside areas, scrub vegetation and wooded areas.

Local character

The cuisine of La Tova is also closely connected with the products of its surroundings. Seasonal produce, as well as game and poultry, are key ingredients in traditional dishes.

Things to do

The Ruta Castellón-Columna Miliaria begins at Calle Mayor and crosses the Río Vélez. This crossing can be difficult depending on the season, so waterproof footwear is recommended. The route leads to a 2.7-metre-high replica of a milestone column from the time of Emperor Augustus, which is more than 2,000 years old. On the return journey, it follows Calle de la Fuensanta and first passes the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción church.

Another notable route is the Ruta de los Pantanos, a 58-kilometre circular route for mountain bikes. The Ruta El Cimbre crosses the Río Vélez, also known as Corneros, towards Baños de la Fuensanta and then continues along the Balneario.

Culture and history

The facilities of the former Balneario de La Fuensanta have been preserved near the village. Restoration and a subsequent resumption of operations are considered only possibilities there. The Parroquia de la Asunción may have been the origin of the present-day settlement.

In the wider area around La Tova, the remains of the walls, three towers and two cisterns have been preserved at a fortress. A building there was also abandoned during the late Almohad period and consequently remained unchanged thereafter.

Festivals

The patron saint festivals of La Parroquia de la Fuensanta honour the Virgen de la Asunción and take place from 10 to 15 August. As part of the same festivities, local residents set out at dawn on a pilgrimage to the Santo in the mountains, which is already within the Diputación de Jarales. At the summit, they share a meal, followed by a floral offering and fireworks.

Activities mentioned as part of the patron saint festivals include games, a water-balloon and water-pistol competition, brisca, a fancy-dress party and sporting activities.

Other places

For further options, you can also choose Almendricos.

For the broader travel overview: Lorca.