Lanjaron
Information about the town of Lanjaron
The World Health Organization has recognized Lanjaron as one of the places with the greatest longevity on the planet. It is indeed the quality of its waters - together with the climate, the pure mountain air and the Mediterranean diet - that allows many of its citizens to live more than one hundred years.
The Spa Baths The spa has been the most important mineral-medicinal waters of Andalucia since the 18th century when its healing properties were discovered.
The Lanjaron Festival of Water and Ham
Since 1980, Lanjaron has celebrated Midsummer’s Eve in honour of San Juan Bautista (John the Baptist) with its Fiesta del Agua y del Jamon (Water and Ham Festival), although the ham aspect has been overshadowed over the years by the liquid element. At the stroke of midnight on 23 June, the small mountain village erupts into the greatest water fight in Spain, and maybe even the world.
Famous for its mineral water, Lanjaron is the perfect destination for this crazy water war. Locals make sure they park their cars out of town in anticpation of the liquid onslaught that attracts revellers from all over the country and further afield.
At midnight, participants take to the streets armed with buckets, water pistols, and anything else they can get their hands on. Total strangers soak each other to the skin, while ladies spray the crowd with hose pipes from the safety of their balconies, filling up their buckets in the process.
By the time the whistle blows at the end of the fight, there is a river running through the streets, and all are soaked to the bone. After a quick change of clothes, the cerveza starts pouring, fireworks fill the sky and the real party begins. Over the next few days, revellers celebrate the calm after the storm with a feast of mouthwatering jamon (ham), another product for which Lanjaron is renowned.
The Moorish Castle of Lanjaron
Only its ruins remain over a rocky promontory near to the town. It is located about 600 meters of altitude. Its location was superb, because it dominated, on one hand, the access road to the Alpujarra and, on the other, the one that communicated Granada with the Coast. The castle was surrounded by a wall defended by two great towers of rubblework, one to the north, semi-circular, and another one to the south.
Fernando the Catholic King conquered the town in 1490. Its Moorish inhabitants rebelled again in 1500, a revolt that was controlled by the Christians after an epic defence. The captain who defended the place preferred to throw himself from a tower before surrender. It participated in an active way against the Napoleonic troops in the Independence War, its inhabitants receiving the qualifying name of “canoneros” since then. The castle is currently being rennovated.
Eat, Drink and Hotels
Bar Flower - best tapas bar in town owned by Franci and Jeni
Bar Los Faroles - family run business good for breakfasts and lunches
El Volante - good drink and food from Jose Antonio
El Frenazo - Sonia provides good quality meals in a nice environment
Cafe Bar Health - More of a “Bistro” restaurant with great food including veggie options!
Apartments:-
Casa Numero 61
3 or 1 bed apartment with swimming pool
2 bed apartment in town
La Casa del Viento
Country House near Orgiva
Hotel El Sol
Hotel Nuevo Palas
Hotel Paraiso
Complejo Turístico Castillo Alcadima
Hotel Castillo Lanjaron
Hotel Lanjaron
Hotel Espana
Hotel Nuevo Manolete
Weather Links
Webcam of Lanjaron
A view from our roof terrace looking west towards the town and prevailing weather. (When loaded, press “Active X” to load “live” video streaming). Please let us know if you encounter any problems.
Weather readings taken from our cortijo in Lanjaron
Leave a Reply