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The
municipality of Fuente de Piedra, in the northern part of the Antequera
region and bordering on the province of Seville,
spreads across a broad plain from which protrude the peaks of the Mollina
and El Humilladero mountain ranges.
Its landscape, although ideal for olives and grain, revolves around the famous shallow lake with the same name as the village, Fuente de Piedra. This is one of the largest wetlands in Spain (along with that of Gallocanta, in Zaragoza) and the first on the Iberian Peninsular to be a massive breeding ground for flamingos, making it of incalculable ecological value. For more information about property for sale in Spain in or near Fuente de Piedra please contact us. The lake also must have been a kind of attraction for prehistoric human settlement in this area, judging by remains that have been discovered from the Upper Paleolithic period. Beginning at that time, these lands were continuously inhabited until the time of the Iberians, who established commercial contacts with Phoenicians and Carthaginians.
The lake was occupied, in about the second century B. C., by the Romans, who named it Fons Divinus (Divine Fountain). This was no doubt in reference to the curative properties of its waters, especially for the “stone disorder” (kidney stones). That is probably the origin of the name of the village, Fuente de Piedra (Stone Fountain). The many archaeological sites that have been found from the Roman period indicate the importance that the area must have had both in the Early and Late Empires. In the mid-fifteenth century, to be specific in 1461 after what is known as the Battle of El Madroño, Don Rodrigo Ponce de León entered these domains and drove out the Muslims, with the result that the place was uninhabited until 1547, when the authorities in Antequera saw fit to create a sort of suburb to which people suffering from kidney disorders could be sent to seek relief from their maladies in the waters of the fountain.
The curative nature of these waters was responsible
for a notable increase in commerce in the area, a commerce based on the export
of the water, which was transported to the Kingdom of Naples and even to America.
The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were particularly prosperous because
of the marketing of the waters and because of the many travellers who came
to take them on site. A prolonged drought that helped spread epidemics, however,
put an end to the economic boom, since the outbreak was attributed to the
vapours of the fountain water, which was stagnant due to its total lack of
current.
Fiestas
The most traditional celebrations in Fuente de Piedra are the patron saint
fiestas in honour of the Virgen de las Virtudes on 8 September. The horseback
ring race, which has been designated a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest
in Andalusia, is presided over by the “manolas mayores”, women
dressed in mantillas who parade in the retinue accompanied by the band, horse-drawn
carriages and the horsemen who are going to take part in the race. The horsemen
gallop forward armed with a lance that they must pass through several rings
on a cord that is stretched along the street. On the second Sunday
in May, the village massively participates in the Virgen de las Virtudes pilgrimage.
The Candelaria festival on 2 February is also of great importance, as of course
are the main fiestas from 22 to 26 July, when there are performances, booths,
music and traditional verbenas (street parties).
Food
This area’s culinary tradition centres on pork products, so its chacinas
(cold cuts) are of excellent quality, but Fuente de Piedra also offers the
good gourmet tender habas (kidney beans) and top quality espárragos
(asparagus). Porra and gazpacho (cold soups) in summer and migas (a dish made
from fried bread crumbs) in winter are other examples of this village’s
gastronomic variety, and it is obligatory here to try the “bienmesabe”
(a type of sweet made from egg-whites and sugar) and mantecados (a type of
shortbread) from the confectionery menu.
How to get there:
The A-45 (N-331) freeway that goes to Antequera
connects on the outskirts of that town with the A-92. Turn towards Seville
on the latter road and you will arrive at Fuente de Piedra in a little less
than 20 kilometres.
Tourist information:
Calle Ancha, 9 (29520). Telephone 952 735 016; Fax: 952 735 317
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