The village and outlying district of Avilés in the municipality of Lorca

A small agricultural village on the high plateau of northern Lorca

Avilés is a small village with around 380 residents in the “Tierras Altas” area of the vast municipality of Lorca, located on a huge plateau midway between the city of Lorca to the south and Bullas, Caravaca de la Cruz and Cehegín to the north.

It is also one of the 39 “diputaciones” of Lorca, which is sub-divided in this way due to its sheer size: covering and area of 1,675 square kilometres, it is the second largest municipality in Spain.

In this rural environment agriculture is based principally on grapes, olives, almonds and cereal crops, and these dominate the landscape on the flat ground between mountain ranges. Wine has been made here since ancient times, and the landscape is a harsh and unforgiving one but at the same time impressive and beautiful. Sunrise and sunset are particularly spectacular when viewed from the Santo del Tío Ginesillo, and the vegetation in the rambla on the edge of the village is especially attractive in spring and autumn.

Among the most popular sights are various plane trees which are hundreds of years old, the almond trees in bloom during the spring and a 15^th century boundary marker, while the local cuisine includes the traditional “torras de mosto”, made during the grape-picking season using the juice of the fruit, and the sweet dishes made at Christmas.

The patrons of Avilés are the Virgen de los Dolores and San Nicolás de Bari, in whose honour fiestas are held every year to coincide with the national holidays on December 6 and 8.

In and around Áviles, the Town Hall of Lorca has included three walking and mountain biking routes in its “Los Caminos del Sol” program:

• A 4.5-kilometre route along the Rambla de las Calaveras, perfect for a family day out.
• A 13.5-kilometre walk on the route of Calares del Cambrón for fitter and more committed ramblers.
• The 51.5-kilometre Ruta de los Tornajos for mountain-bikers.

Bars and restaurants

- Bar Restaurante Casino

- Local Pensionista

Accommodation

- Casa Rural Casa Valiente, Calle Dr Barraquel, 4, telephone 606 345001 emamil joaquins.nv@gmail.com.

Shops

- Autoservicio Antonia (small supermarket), Calle Juan Carlos 4, telephone 699 890271

- Panadería artesanal Avilés (bakery), Calle San Nicolás 22, telephone 686 165835

Winery

- Bodegas Contreras, telephone 685 874594, email info@bodegascontreras.com.

For more visiting information, events and local news go to the home page of Lorca Today.