Lucainena de las Torres – Greenway, Mining History and Village Traditions

Lucainena de las Torres is the starting point of the Camino Natural Vía Verde de Lucainena de las Torres to Agua Amarga. The route currently runs as far as Venta del Pobre in the municipality of Níjar and is a little over 15 kilometres long.

Other destination pages include Viator, Tabernas, Vélez-Rubio, Costacabana, Las Hortichuelas, La Envía, Roquetas De Mar and Lubrín.

Paths and landscape

On the Camino Natural Vía Verde, hikers and cyclists can now retrace the former route of the mining railway. The path is divided into three sections of approximately five kilometres each.

The new Pasarela de la Rambla Honda is part of a route along which more than 15 kilometres of the former mining railway can be travelled continuously from the old station of Lucainena to Venta del Pobre. El Túnel is approximately 85 metres long, carved into the rock and unlined; there is no artificial lighting, but it is not necessary to cross it.

The former railway station of Lucainena de las Torres has been converted into a tourist information centre. The Mirador de El Algarrobo on the Camino Natural offers a place to rest and panoramic views.

The El Poyo de la Cruz viewpoint is located at the main entrance and offers panoramic views of the village and the old Molinillo. At the Cortijo de Las Tejas, the Camino Natural offers particularly beautiful views of a private manor house from the period when the Lucainena mining railway was at its greatest extent, surrounded by palm trees and now completely derelict.

The Senda Minera de Lucainena, SL-A 62, is a short hiking trail that can also be walked with children.

History and buildings

The restored complex of the Hornos de calcinación serves a tourist purpose for visitors to the Vía Verde. The first kiln was restored and displays its original structure; a staircase leads to the top, with extensive panoramic views over the Lucainena valley.

The Hornos de calcinación were built in 1900 near the Lucainena station by the former Compañía Minera de Sierra Alhamilla. The Zugnoria at the Cortijo de Las Tejas was used to draw underground water for human consumption or irrigation.

The former El Molinillo railway bridge was restored through the installation of two metal walkways. The Torre del Molinillo is the only watchtower that has survived over the centuries on a rock atop a hill near Lucainena de las Torres.

The parish church of Nuestra Señora de Montesión is an 18th-century neoclassical church with a fortified appearance and a square tower. The first church in Lucainena was founded in 1505 over an earlier mosque and destroyed during the Morisco uprising.

The traditional public Lavadero de la Fuente washhouse in Lucainena de las Torres uses springs from the Peñón and is still in use. The Mirador del Garruchete offers panoramic views of Lucainena de las Torres and the folds of the surrounding mountains.

Festivals and traditions

The Día de las Flores includes a choreography performed in the traditional Refajona style of dress typical of the village. The festival in honour of Saint Sebastian takes place on 20 January and includes a procession through the streets, during which Roscos are thrown from the balconies as offerings.

In Lucainena de las Torres, the tradition of white lime decoration can be seen in the flower pots and geraniums on façades and in the streets.

Local cuisine

Traditional dishes from Lucainena de las Torres include Gurullos de conejo, Pelotas de maíz, Potaje de trigo, Choto al ajillo and Pimentón, also known as Caldo colorao.

Local sweets include Roscos, Bollos de nata, Hojaldres, Alfajores de almendra and Cuajao de almendras.

For the broader travel overview: Almeria.