Padul – Wetland, Routes and Culture
Nature
Padul is home to the Humedales y Turberas de Padul, the only endorheic wetland in the Province of Granada and the largest peat bog in Southern Europe. The wetlands cover 327.40 hectares.
More than 150 species of waterbirds have been recorded in the Padul wetlands; numerous species use them for wintering, as a stopover during migration or as a breeding area.
The Padul wetland is designated as a Special Protection Area for birds, forms part of the protected area of Sierra Nevada National Park and is recognised as a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
Mammoth remains have been found in its peat layers; mammoths lived there between 30,000 and 40,000 years ago.
Another place is El Puntal.
Hiking
The Aula de Naturaleza El Aguadero next to Padul offers four routes in the vicinity of the wetland; the paths are easy and can be walked at any time of year.
The Ruta del Mamut is a 2.9-kilometre circular route that begins at the Aula de Naturaleza El Aguadero. The Ruta Los Quinientos is 7 kilometres long and follows the Iberian-Roman road.
The Ruta Ojo Oscuro follows the Camino de los Molinos for 8.5 kilometres and leads into the wetland. The Ruta del Agia is 9.2 kilometres long and runs along the entire edge of the wetland.
In Sierra Nevada Natural Park, the 10-kilometre Ruta del Tigre de Diente de Sable runs along the outer area of the Laguna de Padul.
The 9.2-kilometre Ruta del Rinoceronte Lanudo is one of Padul's prehistoric routes and runs through the surroundings of the Laguna de Padul. It crosses the landscape of the Vega de Padul to a simple wooden footbridge near the lagoon and continues to the Aula de la Naturaleza El Aguadero.
The municipality offers guided tours on local routes, including the Ruta del Mamut and Padul Cultural.
Culture
The Iglesia Santa MarÃa la Mayor was built in the 16th century over an earlier mosque and features Mudéjar architecture as well as Baroque and Renaissance altarpieces.
The Casa-Castillo de los Condes de Padul, known as La Casa Grande, dates from the 16th century, is located in the town centre and has a fortress-like appearance as well as austere Baroque architecture.
The Fuente de San JoaquÃn and the Lavadero de Santa Ana, also called Fuente de los cinco caños, are a traditional 16th-century washhouse that served as a meeting place and is complemented by a bronze sculpture of a washerwoman.
The Centro de Interpretación El Silo in El Padul houses a traditional threshing board that was used for manually threshing grains such as wheat, barley and rye.
Padul has a total of 17 crosses, erected between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Padul's old tram station now houses the Oficina de Turismo del Valle de LecrÃn and was opened on 10 February 1923.
The Aula de Naturaleza El Aguadero offers environmental workshops, including bird ringing, recycling and responsible consumption. It also offers craft workshops using esparto grass, leather and clay.
Festivals
The festival in honour of Saint Sebastian takes place in Padul on 19 and 20 January; large fires are lit using aromatic plants collected by residents the previous day.
On Constitution Day, a fair with more than 40 exhibitors takes place in Padul, featuring honey, cheese, olive oil, wine and jams. There is also a wine fair and a Matanza event.
For the overarching travel overview: Granada.
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