April 19 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 16^th century to the early 20^th 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 on 19th April 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 for those en titled to discounts and 5 euros for children up to the age of 12. The tour is conducted in Spanish.

For further information contact Idiarta (telephone 968 069202, email reserva@idiarta.es.)

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.

Address

Plaza de la Balsa Vieja 30850 TOTANA

Tel: 968 418 153

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Oficina de Turismo de Totana

The Tourist Information Office in Totana is in Plaza de la Balsa Vieja, having moved from its former location in the the Town hall, and is right in the heart of the older quarter of Totana, a one minute walk from the main underground carparking.

The tourist office is able to supply town maps, and information about the walking options within the Sierra Espuña and places of local interest to visit. The town has a number of churches and monuments which offer a pleasant walk with a stop-off for coffee and the weekly town market is popular with local expats.

Totana is famous for its local ceramic manufacturers, and the Tourist office can supply a list of working ceramicists and locations where local ceramic products can be purchased. These are surprisingly well-priced, and the local artesans are able to manufacture personalised designs and housename plaques to order.

The most important tourist attraction in Totana is the La Bastida Argaric archaeological site, which can be visited by groups or individuals by prior arrangement with the tourist office.

Totana Tourist information office
Plaza de la Balsa Vieja
30850
Totana (Murcia)
Tel: 968 418 153 (calls go through the town hall, ask for the Oficina de Turismo)

Fax: 968 418 183

Totana Tourist Office Opening Hours:
From Monday to Friday 08:00 to 15:00, Saturdays from 09:00 to 14:00 and closed on Sunday

Where is Totana?
Totana is in the South-west area of Murcia, 40 minutes from the capital City of Murcia, 30-40 minutes from the San Javier airport and about 1.15 minutes from Alicante airport. It is 30km from the coast and the beaches of Mazarrón. At the foot of the Sierra Espuña, it is in the heart of the Guadalentin valley, and well connected, both by road and rail.

It borders with Mula to the north, Alhama de Murcia to the east, Mazarrón and Lorca to the south and Aledo to the west.
Click for map, Totana , Murcia

Click for more information about the Totana municipality