The Northeast

We might highlight the important Spa of Fortuna-Leana, one of the main thermal water destinations in Spain, which dates from 1860 and has welcomed a large number of illustrious figures in the past. Neither should we forget to mention the Church of La Purísima (18th century), the House Convent of Las Monjas, the Town Hall, the former Roman Baths and archaeological sites featuring Prehistoric, Roman and Moorish remains, such as La Cueva Negra (1st-3rd century), featuring Latin inscriptions, due to its use as a temple devoted to the nymphs in Ancient times.

Enjoy the thermal waters of the Spa. Tourists can also enjoy trekking and bicycle routes, visit places of historical and archaeological interest, carry out excursions and practise adventure sports in settings as picturesque as the Regional Park of Sierra de la Pila.

Products such as esparto and oil lamps; dishes such as cakes known as "toñas", gachasmigas, tortilleras and trigopelao.

We can enjoy a general tour of the town by walking up from the Town Hall (18th century) to the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús via a series of steps. These steep lanes house the Palace of La Encomienda and the House of Los Diezmos (a former communal granary), the Church of San José (Baroque). In the outskirts of the town, highlights include the Viewing-point of Santa Ana, the River Chícamo and a public washing place (still in use).

Take part in adventure sports in natural reserves and settings such as those of Sahues, visit the source of the River Chícamo or follow the river through the Natural Area of Santa Ana, featuring views of the Huerta de Abanilla, the Straits of La Hechicera and the Spring of Algarrobo, whilst following different routes

Baskets made of esparto. Gachasmigas and homemade sausage meats.

We might also mention the Vico Theatre (19th century), the Municipal Museum of "Jerónimo Molina", the Palace of El Concejo (16th century), which today houses the Archaeological Museum, the Church of Santiago, the Town Hall, Modernist houses, the Wine Museum of "Juan Carcelén" and El Casón (15th century). A few kilometres away from the town itself, we can also visit the Convent of Santa Ana del Monte (16th century), the Medieval Castle with its keep and parade ground, the wetland area of "El Charco del Zorro", the rock art and the Palaeontological Site of Las Pisadas Fósiles de la Hoya de la Sima (Upper Miocene 5.6-7 million years).

Visitors will also find six "Wine Routes", which incorporate all of the town's tourist services and resources, focusing on its history and culture, its natural delights, cave paintings, archaeological sites, trekking trails and, of course, the exquisite wines of certified origin (D.O.) which can be enjoyed in this area. With the Wine Route, tourists will be able to visit the local vineyards and sample some of the wines for themselves, as well as enjoying typical cuisine from the area and the opportunity to purchase local products. In the Sierra del Carche, we can find various mountain-bike routes and facilities for paragliding. Take on the challenge of Long Trail 7 (G.R. 7) which crosses the north of the region.

Wines of certified origin (D.O.), cheeses and olive oil. Gazpacho, trigoentero and relleno. Under the heading of sweet dishes, we can enjoy sequillos, rollos de vino and cristóbalas.

The Plaza Mayor, the architecturally impressive main square, is made up of the Town Hall (16th century), La Lonja, El Alhorin or "Bread Store" (16th century), the Clock Tower (18th century), which was renovated in the 19th century, and La Iglesia Vieja or "The Old Church" (16th century). Visitors will also be interested in the Municipal Archaeology Museum "Cayetano de Mergelina", the El Greco Replicas Museum, the Holy Week Museum, the Museum of the Patron Saint Festivities and the Bullfighting Museum. The Church of La Purísima (19th century) and the Shrine of La Patrona, located on the Castle hill, are also worth a visit. Every year on 7th December, the inhabitants of Yecla climb this hill whilst firing salvoes of gunpowder with old arquebuses.

On Mount Arabí, some 18 kilometres from the town, visitors can also visit the caves of El Canto de la Visera and Mediodía, featuring Neolithic wall paintings and petroglyphs, rock-carvings that were used in magic rituals. Visitors can also follow bicycle routes along paths that pass through countryside made up of vineyards.

We should not forget to mention the local furniture industry, wine of certified origin and Yecla gazpacho and its typical sweet dishes: Sequillos, libricos and pan bendito.