Fortuna

Fortuna

Not far from the capital of the Murcia Region, Fortuna is famous for the abundance of its hot springs. Water, scarce in this area, flows freely in Fortuna, giving rise to a number of fountains such as la Higuera, la Cueva Negra or los Baños, thermal springs that were already popular in Roman times and which have today converted Fortuna into an important spa town.

The history of the town goes back to Iberian settlements, the remains of which can still be seen in outlying districts such as Caprés, Castillejo or Cortao de las Peñ as. The Arab domination is still visible in the Castillico de los Moros (Moors' Castle). The town's cultural heritage is enriched with the Baroque-style Parish Church of La Purí sima, the Convent and the Town Hall (which conserves some beautiful panneaux), all constructed in an aesthetic modernist style.

The surrounding countryside (at times desert-like) is covered with the water that flows from its thermal springs. Visitors can admire the Cortao de las Peñas (two mountains split apart by the movement of the earth), or the Humedal del Ajauque and Rambla Salada, protected wetland areas of great beauty.

CARESS OF LEANA

The Balneario de Leana (Leana Spa Resort) in Fortuna is one of the oldest spa resorts in Spain. It was reconstructed on Roman Therms. It became the most important healing centre in the Region along with the Santuario de la Cueva Negra (Black Cave sanctuary), popular for its Tituluspictus (Roman inscriptions in objects). The healing nature of these waters was known among ancient cultures, such as Iberian and Greek. It's sure that its effects are great if people continue coming here to charge their batteries.

REMAINS OF THE PAST

This region keeps many historical treasures that you'll discover in your visit to the Iberian and Arabian settlements and the santuario romano de la Cueva Negra (Roman Black Cave sanctuary). The last one was a place of workship and superstition where magic and sorcery rituals were performed. And, then, drop in the ancient Roman thermal springs where, in former times, water was really abundant. Currently, it's still a tourist attraction.

Fortuna is the ideal place to go for a walk. In the town centre, you'll find the Iglesia parroquial de la Purísima (the Parish Church of La Purísima), from the 18th century, which has images from Salzillo school and a monstrance made by the Neapolitan goldsmith Carlos Zayadatt. The Casa Consistorial (the Council House) is only a few feet away and its hall is home to a rich collection of pictures that are Asset of Cultural Interest. There's also the Casa Convento (Convent House), the most emblematic Modernist building in the municipality. It's characterised by its façade, its courtyard decorated with arabesques and an old library that keeps the household furnishing that belonged to its former owners. Another interesting building to visit is the oldest hermitage in Fortuna, the St. Roque hermitage, from the 17th century.