November 16 Guided visit to the snow wells of Sierra Espuña
The restored snow wells in Alhama and Totana show how ice was created and stored for the city of Murcia in the past
This unusual tour takes visitors to the snow wells near the highest point of the Regional Park of Sierra Espuña, centuries-old structures which were used in the past to supply ice to the cities of Murcia, Lorca and even as far away as Cartagena. The wells have been declared an Item of Cultural Interest and this route is a relatively easy one at only 3 kilometres: it is categorized as being suitable for anyone aged 6 and over.
Some of the curious dome-like structures have now been restored, and they stand as monuments to the ingenuity of the Murcianos in the past as they strove to thrive in the sometimes hostile climate!
The snow wells were in use from the 16th century to the early 20th and were used in the summer to preserve food and to make ice-cream! They are located at altitudes of 1,400 metres and over, where in the past there were frequent and heavy snowfalls in winter, and on the northern side of the mountains so as to minimize exposure to sunlight.
Here they functioned as a factory for ice until the year 1926, when the first ice factory was built in Totana, and for many generations workers flocked to the wells as soon as the first snow fell. Up to 9 men worked in each, collecting ice and transporting it on the backs of mules to the wells for storage, and then to the towns and cities of Murcia for sale, travelling by night when possible to avoid melting.
Trade was so busy that it is known that in 1794 as much as 450,000 kilos of ice were sold in the city of Murcia!
The walk begins at 11.00 and is expected to last until around 14.00 with registration available online here or through the tourist office of Totana (turismo@totana.es, telephone 968 418153). Inscription prices are 9 euros for adults, 7 euros each for groups and large families as well as retirees and those with minor disabilities, and 5 euros for children up to the age of 12.
The meeting point is the car park of the snow wells next to the Collado Mangueta viewing point - click here for map.
For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today.
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