Outlying districts of Mazarron, Gañuelas

A small rural community in the countryside of Mazarrón

The small village of Gañuelas is close to the Sierra de la Almenara and occupies two slopes facing each other. On one of them there are various whitewashed houses consisting of manmade caves which have been extended outwards from the hill, and on the other there is a group of more conventional houses.

Today it is a small hamlet with a population of no more than 90 according to the municipal Padrón, but in the past it was an important settlement in Mazarrón´s history.

Gañuelas is one of the many parts of the municipality of Mazarrón where there are archaeological and historical data from a wide range of different periods. Here remains have been found from the Bronze Age, which broadly encompasses 3200-600 BC, when human society was undergoing a series of revolutionary changes as new peoples and ideas arrived in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula from the eastern Mediterranean. The development of metallurgy was one of the fundamental characteristics of the time.

Argaric culture was widespread throughout the region of Murcia in the second millennium BC, (1800 - 1300 BC) and remains and relics from this period have been found in La Ciñuela, which is part of Gañuelas.

Settlements belonging to Argaric culture were normally located in strategically advantageous places, looking out over crops or mines, and Gañuelas was a perfect location for such a settlement. 

During the Roman occupation of the peninsula, from 209BC to around the 4th century AD, the municipality of Mazarrón was fairly densely populated, with the economy centering on the three main pillars of fishing, mining and agriculture.

Inland, it was agriculture which occupied the ample plains, and this continued to be the case under Moorish rule, which followed the Romans from the 8th century to the 13th. Small defensive fortresses were built to protect the crops growing around them and these were places of refuge for the farmers in case of attack.

Items from the time of Moorish rule have been found in the patio of the little church of San Bartolomé in Gañuelas, alongside the remains of human bodies, which suggests that perhaps there was an Islamic burial ground on the site, before a Christian church was over it.

In the 13th century this area was re-occupied by Christian forces, and following a series of uprisings the Moors were forced to leave.

Crop farming and pasture continued to be the main activities in the area, and in the 18^th century the Ermita de San Bartolomé was consecrated. At the time there were various small rural churches in the villages and hamlets around Mazarrón, used mostly by farm workers and shepherds, who organized small religious and administrative communities.

In the 19th and 20th centuries there was a continuation of farming without irrigation, with water coming from artesian wells. In the 20^th century the population of the village fell, but those who stayed were able to benefit from new irrigation technology and today Gañuelas produces oranges, lemons and grapes. The Sierra de la Almenara is of great importance to the village, providing natural shelter from the cold weather coming in from the west in winter, and this has helped to make the growing of these new crops possible.

Fiestas in Gañuelas

The local fiestas are celebrated on and around the feast day of San Bartolomé, which falls on 24^th August. On the day itself there is a procession through the streets of the village, and an evening of dining and dancing finishes with a grand firework display.

Property in Gañuelas

This is a very small agricultural community in a rural area, fairly isolated in terms of facilities available. The only properties available are country cottages, many semi detached or within a group of "family properties" so there are multiple owner situations which can lead to conflict if there are disputes over access/maintenance of adjoining properties. Many of the homes are not inhabited throughout the year.

There are few municipal services in these small communities ,and careful consideration should be given to health, shopping, security, schooling and transport requirements if selecting an area such as this. However, there are charming country properties available for those who want to be near the coast but away from an expat community and speaking Spanish.

There are extensive expat support groups and social groups in Camposol and Puerto de Mazzarrón municipality.

Location

For more local information including bews, what's on and things to see and do, visit the home page of Mazarrón Today.