Lupión
Lupión occupies a plateau surrounded by olive groves. The resultant olive oil industry and cotton cultivation in the Guadalquivir Valley form the town’s two main sources of income. The great archaeological wealth of the town demonstrates its rich and varied history. It has about 830 inhabitants.
History
Like most of Andalusia, Lupión has been populated by a huge range of civilisations throughout history. Its strategic location on top of a plateau probably encouraged settlements, whilst it also served as the only natural route into the Despeñaperros passage. The agricultural and mineral wealth of the area would have been quickly apparent to passing communities; oil, cereals, wool, silver, copper and lead were all exported to Rome.More>
Things to see
Torreón de Lupión
The tower of Lupión belonged to an old medieval castle that can be dated to the thirteenth century. Adjoining the parade ground, it has a square-shaped interior but one rounded exterior side facing the street. It may have been refurbished to minimise the destructive effects of artillery. It was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1985. (Location)
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
The origin of this church is linked to a medieval legend: the appearance of the Virgen de Lorite in a farmhouse expressing her desire to be honoured there with a temple. Construction of the building began in the fourteenth century, but successive reforms have distorted its original Gothic style, which can still be seen in the presbytery area. Its small dimensions reinforce the original medieval typology. (Location)
Fuente de los Dos Caños
The stone fountain was built in 1788, as indicated by an engraved stone on its front. It has a pediment-like molding crowned by a stone cross and two pipes that pour their water into inverted pools. The fountain is decorated with a ceramic tile depicting the Sacred Heart in an attitude of blessing. (Location)
Natural Areas
Casa de Máquinas
This dense forest grove, located next to the Guadalimar River, is formed of the typical riverside vegetation that develops on both banks of the river. (Location)
Rio Guadalimar
The Guadalimar River rises at the foot of the Almenara hill, at an altitude of 1,200m, in the Alcaraz mountain range in Albacete, and heads towards the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, and flows into the Guadalquivir River in the municipality of Torreblascopedro. It owes its name to the colour of its waters, since Gualimar derives from wad al-Ihmar, meaning “red river”. (Location)
Bus Services
There are various bus services from Lupión. (Location)
Handicrafts
Lupión has typical crafts from the area such as esparto and bobbin work. The town is also home to two pyro-technicians, Don Manuel Pérez Gutiérrez and Doña María Torres Pérez, as well as a luthier, Gines Sánchez Rodríguez.
Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnic craftsmen zealously guard a tradition of more than a century. Originally called “Pirotecnia Pérez”, this local company was created by Manuel’s grandfather, Don Manuel Pérez Jodar, back in 1898, and his teacher was the renowned Pyrotechnician Mr. Lereux, who taught him the trade in Valencia in 1854. Later Manuel’s father, Don Juan Manuel Pérez Pérez, also a student of Mr. Lereux, took charge of the pyrotechnic company known as “Pirotecnia San José”. When his father retired, he took charge of the company now called “Pirotecnia Virgen del Lorite”. They provide years of knowledge while including new technologies, cutting-edge computer equipment and highly specialized personnel for new fireworks shows, such as the “Piro Musicales”.
Luthiery
Gines Sánchez Rodríguez is a self-taught luthier. He is a craftsman, an avid and imaginative person who has mastered the difficult art of converting pieces of wood into electric guitars. In 1982, wanting a guitar but unable to afford to buy one, he built his first model. After scouring music shops and magazines for guidance about methods and the best wood types, he made a functioning guitar which he has affectionately retained to this day, claiming it sounds as good as the first time he played it. He has built more than twenty guitars, and finished a large number of repairs, many of them for famous musicians. On average, it takes a single artisan between one and two months to produce a completely handmade guitar of this quality. The advantages for musicians commissioning instruments in this way are the control they have over the characteristics of the finished product and the attractive uniqueness of each model.
Gastronomy
To taste the traditional delicacies of the cuisine of Lupión one must try dishes such as habas de San Antón (broad bean stew), guisado de Carnaval (pork stew), perdices en escabeche (partridge escabeche) and arroz con conejo (hare rice). Sweet treats include gachas (similar to semolina), arroz con dul (rice pudding), mantecados (lard cakes) and roscos de vino (white wine biscuits).
Festivals
Popular festivals in Lupión are La Candelaria, Festividad de la Virgen de Lorite, San Marcos, San Isidro and Fiestas Mayores. (Location)
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Lupión. (Location)
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Lupión is located in the Town Hall. (Location)
Villages Nearby
The neighbouring villages to Lupión are Baeza, Ibros, Begíjar and Torreblascopedro
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