The tiny pueblo of Fuente Vera, where we are situated is a traditional whitewashed Spanish village with narrow streets and friendly people. If you are looking for a relaxing ‘get away from it all’ type of holiday, then this is for you.
The Castril Valley is set amongst the backdrop of the Sierras de Castril, Segura and Cazorla, surrounded by the National Parks of the region. There are three lakes in the vicinity, the closest being located in Castril itself.
The village of Castril de la Pena sits nestled low in the valley overlooked  by the rock (la pena) and is a typical whitewashed Spanish village, complete with wrought iron balconies and mules walking through the narrow streets. Castril boasts small cobbled streets, a few shops, and several restaurants, cafes and bars which are highly recommended by us. The children of the local primary school have designed as a project, a picnic area a t the bottom of the village on the banks of the Rio Castril. There are brick built BBQ’s set under the shade of the tall pine trees. And to follow, there is a walk through the fragrant shrubs and trees towards a wooden walkway set into the side of the rock and running alongside the rio. This takes you on to a suspended galleried bridge which crosses over the rio – not to be missed! There is also a weekly market held each Friday morning which is full of stalls selling very fresh fruit and vegetables. Where else can you eat fresh strawberries in February!
The afternoon siesta is strictly obeyed and you will find every shop and business closed from 2pm until around 5.30pm, and the streets are very quiet during this time.
Another main feature of Castril is the annual Bull Festival, held every year. The streets are cordoned off, the cobbles are covered in sand and the ritual of the bull running in a confined area commences. Please be aware that no bulls are hurt in any way, and that this has nothing to do with the traditional bull fighting of Spain. The bulls used for this festival are actually calves, and it is usually the ‘brave’ men and women who taunt them that end up getting hurt – well at least their pride anyway! The festival runs from the 1st to the 2nd Sunday each October, and very little sleep is managed in that time if you live close to Castril itself. Spanish fiestas and festivals are a way of life, but it has to be said that they are extremely enjoyable, as long as you know how to pace yourself!