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Totana rally back on track as Sierra Espuña Park boundaries change
A small area around La Santa has been removed from the park to let the pilgrimage and rally continue
Murcia’s Regional Assembly has approved a law changing the boundaries of Sierra Espuña Regional Park. The adjustment removes a small area around La Santa, including the RM-502 road, so the traditional pilgrimage and the Totana "Subida a La Santa" rally, cancelled since 2023 for environmental reasons, can take place again.
The move was backed by the People’s Party (PP) and Vox, who emphasised that the excluded zone represents only 0.3% of the park and mostly consists of buildings and roads.
PP representative Isabel María Sánchez argued that supporting the change was about respecting local wishes and traditions. Vox MP Alberto Garre highlighted the involvement of Totana’s mayor and the local automobile club, framing the decision as a defence of regional culture.
However, opposition is strong and many detractors have warned that the law to move the boundary could conflict with higher-ranking EU environmental protections, since parts of the park overlap with the Natura 2000 network.
Socialist MP Alfonso Martínez Baños described the move as creating “false expectations” and pointed out that the rally could proceed under the existing park management plan without altering boundaries.
Given such staunch criticisms, it seems likely that the new law will be challenged in the Constitutional Court.
For the moment though, the new boundaries are due to take effect the day after the law is published in the Official Gazette of the Region of Murcia.
Supporters insist that protections for the rest of the park remain intact and this small chance will simply allow a couple of historic events to resume.
Earlier this month, additional restrictions were introduced to protect the golden eagle during its breeding season, which runs until June 30. Access to the main nesting area in Cuevas Luengas will be fully closed, affecting roughly five kilometres of trails. A second closure covers a 2.4-kilometre section of trail across the Solana del Pedro López area, stretching from Cuevas de la Plata to beyond the nesting cliffs.
Click for further information about the Totana municipality
Click for more information about the Sierra Espuña
Image: CARM
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