Font

The villa of Font It is one of those hidden treasures for the big tourist circuits that is worth visiting. This little corner of the province of Albacete is in full Sierra del Segura, about seven hundred and twenty meters above sea level.

It also belongs to the judicial district of Hellin and adjoins the province of Murcia. It is an area inhabited since the Paleolithic which, however, achieved its greatest importance during the Arab domination, as can still be seen today in the layout of its streets. Precisely, because of its distribution, we are going to start by talking about Letur.

An urban center full of charm

The urban nucleus of the town of Albacete has been declared Historic Artistic Set through its streets with an Arab layout. They are narrow and full of slopes, ramparts, gates and stone fountains. Likewise, the vast majority of its constructions are made with mud, stone, reeds and wood. Also noteworthy are the whitewashed walls.

Streets and houses are distributed around the square, which is located in the highest part of the town. Likewise, almost all the second ones stand out for their ironwork characteristic made by local blacksmiths and for its unique artisan wooden doors.

One of the best examples of everything we are telling you is the Albayacin street. Its own name comes from Arabic and comes to mean "high-rise neighborhood". In fact, if you look at it from the carabos street, you will see some of their houses hanging on a rock. But Albayacín has more attractions. In it you will be able to appreciate several portals that give way to more than one house. These stand out for their semicircular arches or lintels on two jambs made of stone.

On the other hand, remains of the old wall that protected the town. We advise you to pay particular attention to the Puerta del Sol, which was the main access to the town through that one. It is made up of two semicircular arches, one as a portico and the other as a sash to reinforce a missing barrel vault. In short, by itself, the urban center of Letur is already worth your visit. But, in addition, it has interesting monuments. We are going to show you the most important ones.

Plaza Mayor: Remains of the Letur castle and other buildings of interest

Right in the town's main square you can see some remains of the old castle of the twelfth century already disappeared. Because this square coincides with its parade ground. Sadly, it was demolished in the middle of the XNUMXth century to build a movie theater on its site, which currently functions as a ethnological museum.

precisely, the Mulberry Arch It was a natural aqueduct that supplied water to the fortification and to the entire town. For his part, he Granary Arch It is modern, but it was built to commemorate the old one that served as the main access to the castle. This is on the right side of the Town hall, a Renaissance building with elegant shapes in which its large balcony stands out. It has two floors, the ground floor with two large semicircular arches that are supported by Tuscan columns.

As an anecdote, we recommend that you look at the plaque on its facade. It says "Long live King Amadeo I and the Constitution" and refers to the monarch of Italian origin who governed the destinies of Spain between 1871 and 1873. It is possibly the only recognition that this king retains in our entire country.

The church of Santa María de la Asunción and other temples

Santa María de la Asunción is the most outstanding construction of Letur, not in vain has it been declared A Cultural y Historic Artistic Monument. It is a temple built between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries that responds to the Gothic canons. However, its cover is Renaissance.

Outwardly, its slender bell tower and the buttresses that reinforce it stand out. As for the interior, it is distributed in a single nave with three sections whose ceiling is supported by ribbed vaults which, in turn, are supported by columns. Two side chapels give it a Latin cross plan. It is also decorated with various paintings from the XNUMXth century that are attributed to the so-called Albacete Master.

But the town also has other temples. The hermitage of the Alto, located on the street of the same name, has a steep staircase and a beautiful Renaissance doorway; that of San Bartolomé, in the village of La Abejuela, dates from the XNUMXth century and of the one that belonged to San Sebastián, only the façade remains, also from the Renaissance.

Viewpoints of Letur

As we have already told you, this town is more than seven hundred meters above sea level. You will not be surprised, therefore, that it has several viewpoints that offer you wonderful views of the Albacete countryside. Among them, stands out the one from La Molatica, an authentic natural balcony that overlooks impressive rock cuts and shows the orchards of the area and the Letur stream.

It also allows you to enjoy beautiful views San Sebastian viewpoint, which, where appropriate, opens onto the old town. And we can tell you the same about those of the Artezuela, the Mulberry Arch and Starlight. The latter, as its name suggests, is perfect for stargazing and is located on the outskirts of town. You can reach it by walking along the forest track of The Melera and this leads us to talk about the hiking and mountain biking routes that the town of Albacete offers you.

Hiking Trails in Letur

This beautiful town is located in a privileged natural environment dominated by the Sierra del Segura. To enjoy it, a whole route of trails has been drawn up that has a length of 184 kilometers. You can enjoy it by creating your own tours of it. But also follow the routes already drawn.

Among these stands out the circular, which leaves and returns to the town passing through Almazarán and Bacalicos and that offers you wonderful views of the spectacular Segura Canyon. Also, if you like ornithology, you will be able to spot a good number of birds of prey. It is almost twenty kilometers long and somewhat difficult.

they are also very pretty the routes from Los Chorreones, La Muela, Regalí and Letur to La Abejuela. In these cases, they are around thirteen kilometers and present medium or high difficulties. However, if you don't want to make so much effort, you have easier routes. For example, that of the Camino de los Cantalares, which measures two kilometers and passes through places as beautiful as the Puddle Puddle and Cave of Coolness. Also, it is easy waterfall route, which takes you to that spectacular waterfall where, in summer, you can take a good bath. Finally, that of San Sebastian offers you magnificent views of the historic center of Letur.

On the other hand, as we told you, you can also enjoy mountain biking in the town of Albacete. The area has several forest tracks for it. As a sample of these routes, we cite the circular that passes through La Artezuela, the Corral de la Rada, the Cañada del Pozo de San Marcos and the Cortijo de la Fuente de la Solana. In addition, you can do it in full or in parts. In any case, it also offers you spectacular views.

Festivals and gastronomy

To end our visit to Letur, we will tell you about its festivals and its typical cuisine. As for the first, the patron saints are the second half of August in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption. Normally, they last seven days and include numerous activities. But the town also celebrates the festivities of San Anton on January 17, from the Virgen del Carmen on July 16 and Santiago the 25th of this same month.

However, they are of special interest eastern and the festival Letural Soul. During the first, the popular Courtesies. This name is given to the singular encounter of the images of Jesus and Our Lady of Sorrows, both taken in procession. Regarding Leturalma, which is held at the end of July, it is a festival that includes concerts, theater shows and activities for children.

On the other hand, we cannot leave Letur without telling you about its delicious gastronomy. This includes hearty dishes from the Sierra del Segura such as crumbs rollers, which also have chorizo, bacon and ham; he green heat, which includes white beans and the pot with black pudding. No less tasty are the chickpeas with lamb or pork feet and a little lighter volleyball salad.

Perhaps even more typical are the tatters, which are made with flour cakes and a sauce of tomato, onion, garlic and red pepper. In addition, cod or rabbit are added. They are also famous chanterelles from the area, which are usually eaten in a stew with potatoes or simply fried.

Regarding confectionery, the town of Albacete offers you many delicacies. It is the case of toñas letureños, which are cakes covered in honey, ground walnuts and other dried fruits. And, likewise, of the muffins, similar to the previous ones, since they contain almonds and honey and are made cooked in the oven. Finally, you can also savor exquisite fritters, angel hair cakes or sighs. And, to finish your meal, you can try the spank, a homemade brandy.

In conclusion, we have shown you everything you can see and do in Font, a beautiful villa nestled in the Sierra del Segura. We can only propose that you visit it and, since you are in the province of Albacete, that you also get closer to other beautiful locations such as Alcalá del Júcar. Dare to do it.