ABOUT
Puerto Lumbreras is a small district in terms of area situated about 80 km from the city of Murcia. However, it has surprisingly varied landscapes for its size, the plains of El Esparragal being mainly dedicated to intensive agriculture, and the contrast of the upland area of Cabezo de la Jara. This area of great environmental interest contains predominantly Mediterranean type vegetation and woodland, Mediterranean pine, and even wild olive woods of great age. Among note of its wildlife are the Mediterranean tortoise, the eagle-owl, and several birds of prey.HERITAGE
Having a mainly agriculturally-based economy, its position as strategic point in land communications have also made the town an important transport hub and almost obliged stopping place for road transport between the Spanish Levant and the south of the country, giving rise to an important hotel and catering business. Additionally the town has developed important industries serving tourism, high-quality pottery production, carpets, fabric and articles made from esparto grass, all characteristic of the area.Additional interest for the tourist is provided in the form of rural tourism, with the extensive availability of rural accommodation throughout the region and organised routes for visitors who fancy getting closer to nature. The Old Part of the town can be divided into various zones: the nucleus gathered round a hill consisting of cave houses at present under renovation, the old part straddling the Nogalte gully, and the modern part, stretching along the N-340 trunk road, and where it is easiest to stop off for a break, meal, or some local craft products, in any one of a number of restaurants and other establishments.
Top 10
Much more than a transit point, Puerto Lumbreras is a rural and cultural destination of virgin nature; one of those beautiful places where you should stop. The municipality, a close neighbour to the Andalusians, now shows its main attractions.
LIVING LIKE A TROGLODYTE
Although in other regions of Spain there are caves that work as homes, those of Puerto Lumbreras represent one of the most important troglodyte sets in the Southeast peninsular. The themed visit to these caves, which are located in the Castellar hill, will show you what life was like in these peculiar constructions with natural air conditioning.
IN THE MIDDLE AGES
The Nogalte Castle is an Islamic medieval castle with seven towers. It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries and for years it marked the border between Castile and the Nazari Kingdom of Granada. The most incredible thing about the visit is the panoramic views from its viewpoints and the tri-layered crossing that links the two areas of the fortress.
WHERE WATER GOES
The water route is a circular route of just over 1.4 miles that you can do by foot or on a bike and will teach you the various systems of collection, use and distribution of water that still operate in the town of Puerto Lumbreras. "Caño and contracaño" (typical Puerto Lumbreras hydraulic infrastructure), infiltration galleries, seasonal streams, aqueducts, mills and laundries that make up an amazing hydraulic engineering system able to turn the city into an oasis.
A BOURGEOIS LIFE
We recommend you to walk through the old town and visit the House of the Elves, a bourgeois house of the 19th century. The building has a rich cultural and architectural interest, currently hosting the historical archive and serving as a space for other cultural activities such as exhibitions and conferences.
A UNIQUE COLLECTION
Vels Augustus Graphology Room is one of the places that are well worth taking a break for. This original mini-museum is located on the first floor of the House of the Elves. Here a tribute is paid to Augusto Vels, citizen of Puerto Lumbreras and internationally recognized for his contributions to the science of graphology. Notes, letters, magazines and books make up a unique collection of its kind.
STARGAZE
If you're in Puerto Lumbreras and you want to be closer to the stars, you'll only have to travel about 4 miles. At this distance you'll find the Astronomical Observatory of Cabezo de la Jara, in an emblematic and natural environment where there is little or no light pollution. Here you'll learn the basics of astronomy, get to know curiosities and legends and you'll get a glimpse of the most important celestial objects through a super telescope.
FOR FREE SPIRITS
If you consider yourself as a free spirit and you like to be in contact with nature, you'll love the natural setting of Cabezo de la Jara where you'll find a peculiar mixture between tree-lined pathways, wooded and sub arid areas. It's ideal for taking in the fresh air and tranquillity by walking between the oak and pine trees. The Youth Hostel is located in the Interpretation Center of Nature, which should serve as a starting point for all tours and activities carried out in this territory.
HOUSE AND COUNTRY
Lovers of traditions and rural life will find the Ethnographic Room of Agriculture and Ranching at the Priest's Housetraditions and daily life of this municipality through audio-visual exhibitions and a collection of ancient tools and typical essentials.
FOR THOSE WITH A SWEET TOOTH
Chinese dessert and the well-known "alfajor" and the "
EVERYTHING BUT THE SQUEAK
If you come here on a visit or you're just passing through, Puerto Lumbreras is the place to be to buy the traditional products of the "Matanzas" (sacrificial meat). These include cured meat & sausages such as blood sausages, Catalan sausages or white sausages. You'll find them in many shops throughout the town.
PUERTO LUMBRERAS
