Nature Park Fuentes del Marqués

Nature Park "Fuentes del Marqués"

Las Fuentes del Marqués Nature Park, classified as historic site, is one of the town’s great attractions, just 2km away from the city. You can reach this landscape either using Avenida de los Andenes (by car), and then taking Camino de Mayrena, or you can take the trekking path called Camino del Huerto (on foot).

Both ways meet in “El Molinico” and from this point onwards there is a single route to the springs Las Fuentes del Marqués. They are located at the foot of Sierra del Gavilan and El Buitre, with a land area of 17.4 hectares. The particular microclimate of this area, characterised by the presence of water, grants this biotic and physical environment a special singularity, giving its great amount of animal and vegetables species in such a small area.

The water springs are located at the end of this large natural area and they are commonly known as sartenes (frying pans), a big and a small one, with an average flow of 320 l/s. The first reference to this place was made by the Arab geographer Al-Himyari (the XIII-XIV centuries).

Las Cuevas del Marques (the caves), situated on a hill overlooking the springs, is an important part of the nature park of Las Fuentes. It is believed, from the ceramic materials found, that dates back to the XI Century and it may have been a place of stay for agricultural purposes, with no military attachment.

In this beauty spot, we can find a youth hostel, dating back to the XIX Century, with a capacity for 44 guests. Its location invites the visitor to carry out an array of activities such as enjoying the landscape, gastronomy, trekking, etc.

Next to the youth hostel, there is the Nature Interpretation Centre (see information about museums) situated in the “Torreon de los Templarios” (XVI Century). Given the ideal conditions of this spot, this visitor centre has been used as an environmental educational and information place, promoting the education, leisure and culture of Caravaca de la Cruz.

In conclusion, Las Fuentes del Marques is a natural beauty spot in which nature is fully enjoyed every season. Spring and autumn might be the most special seasons because of the light and colour explosion and the wide palette of colours of the leaves on autumn trees.

Geographical coordinates: Latitude 38.102612 Length -1.879974